Indonesia is Pope Francis' first stop on his 12-day tour of Asia.
JAKARTA – Indonesia is stepping up security for Pope Francis’s visit next week – his first stop on his 12-day tour of Asia, with snipers being deployed and thousands of officers on standby.scheduled to visit the Indonesian capital of Jakarta from Sept 3 to 5,This will be the longest trip yet for the 87-year-old Argentine pontiff, who now regularly uses a wheelchair because of back and knee pain.
Brigadier-General Tjahyono Saputro, head of public relations at the Indonesian National Police, said: “The teams have been trained if the worst-case scenario occurs... from terrorism , demonstrations against the visit to earthquakes.” Excitement and preparations for the visit have been mounting in Indonesia’s Catholic community too. Over the weekend, the Jakarta Cathedral set up a photo spot on its premises featuring a large cut-out of Pope Francis. Merchandise such as statues and T-shirts bearing the pontiff’s face have also been on sale.
“May this important event strengthen the Indonesia-Vatican bilateral relationship, and make Indonesia, the largest Muslim country in the world, be seen as an example of harmonious and peaceful religious dialogue for the world,” he said on Aug 31 in an Instagram post. A Muslim worker sewing tote bags with Pope Francis’ image at a workshop in Tangerang, Indonesia, on Aug 28. PHOTO: EPA-EFE
The chairman of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference, Mr Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, said in a press conference on Aug 28 that worshippers in the country have been praying that the Pope’s visit goes smoothly.
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