ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – The leader of the world’s Catholics, Pope Francis, made his 45th Apostolic Journey by visiting four countries in Asia and Oceania.
The first Asian country visited by Pope Francis was Indonesia, then he would go to Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Singapore.
So, what is the meaning of the Apostolic Journey?
Pope Francis’ plane landed at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, on Tuesday, September 3 2024, at 11.30 WIB. Pope Francis will be in Indonesia until Friday, September 6 2024.
Before making his 45th Apostolic Journey, Pope Francis sent a telegram to the President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella. Pope Francis in his telegram said that he wanted to meet brothers and sisters in faith and everyone in the four countries he would visit.
According to the Pope, the people of this country are rich in human values, solidarity and fellowship, even though they are often faced with many trials.
“I will undertake my Apostolic Journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore, driven by the desire to meet our brothers and sisters in the faith and all the people of these countries rich in human and spiritual values, have bears witness to solidarity, fellowship and dialogue even in times and situations marked by trials,” he wrote to the President of Italy, quoted by Vatican News.
What is the Meaning of the Apostolic Journey?
Apostolic journey is the term used to refer to official visits of Pope Francis abroad. Pope Francis’ Apostolic Journey as Head of the World Catholic Church. The term Apostolic Journey refers to the fact that Pope Francis is the successor of the Apostle Peter.
Catholics believe that the Apostle Peter was the first leader of the Catholic Church. Therefore, the Apostolic Journey is also often called the Apostolic Journey.
Moreover, as head of an international sovereign entity (the Holy See) and Head of State of Vatican City, from the point of view of International Law, Apostolic Journeys normally fall within the category of State Visits, with all the elements provided by diplomatic protocol for such cases .
Thus, the Apostolic Journey is a visit that has a dual nature, namely diplomatic and religious. Pope Francis’ visit on an Apostolic Journey usually begins with an invitation received by Pope Francis from the host Head of State and the Bishops of the local Catholic Church. Both invitations are necessary for the Apostolic Journey to take place.
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Travel Agenda in Indonesia
During his visit to Indonesia, the Leader of the World Catholic Church implemented a number of agenda. On Wednesday, September 4 2024, Pope Francis met with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.
Then, on Thursday, September 5 2024, during his 45th Apostolic Journey, Pope Francis will attend an inter-religious meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta.
Next, Pope Francis will attend a meeting with beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the Office of the Indonesian Catholic Bishops’ Conference (KWI).
Then, in the afternoon, Pope Francis will lead a High Mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) and Madya Stadium. It is estimated that the religious event will be attended by 86 thousand Catholics. (ATN)
Follow Us at Google News and WA Channel
Discussion about this post