With open arms

The smiles of two children wearing traditional clothes greeted Pope Francis’ first encounter with Indonesia on his arrival in Jakarta, on Tuesday morning, 3 September. Five-year old Maria from Java and 10-year-old Irfan, from Papua, Indonesia, welcomed him timidly, and shared a few words with him. The Holy Father then greeted the Authorities. The flight landed at Jakarta Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 11:19 a.m. local time. The Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Piero Pioppo, Head of Protocol, boarded the plane to greet the Holy Father. On the ground, after the homage of the two children, the Holy Father was welcomed by the Minister for Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, and the Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo. The Holy Father rested at the Apostolic Nunciature on Tuesday, after his arrival and no ...