Prabowo to Dispatch Envoy to Pope Francis' Funeral

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian State Secretary Minister Prasetyo Hadi said President Prabowo Subianto will send a representative to attend the funeral of Pope Francis in the Vatican. However, Prabowo has not yet determined the delegate to be sent to the Vatican.

"Well, we are currently coordinating this; please be patient," Prasetyo told journalists in Jakarta on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.

Prasetyo said Prabowo could not attend Pope Francis's funeral in person. Therefore, Prabowo decided to send a representative. "Due to certain reasons and other factors, the President may not be able to attend the Pope's funeral in person," he said.

President Prabowo Subianto remembered the figure of Pope Francis in a message of condolence after the Holy Father passed away on Monday morning, April 21, 2025. Through his official Instagram account, Prabowo expressed his condolences after receiving news of Pope Francis' passing. He stated that the world has lost a role model with a strong commitment to peace, humanity, and brotherhood.

"Sri Paus Fransiskus' visit to Jakarta last year had a profound impact not only among Catholics but also in the hearts of the entire Indonesian people," Prabowo said in the caption of a photo on his Instagram account.

Prabowo uploaded two photos of himself shaking hands with Pope Francis during his visit to Jakarta. Prabowo was impressed by the message of simplicity, pluralism, a preference for the poor, and Pope Francis's concern for others. According to Prabowo, this message will always be an example for everyone. "Farewell, Pope Francis, your message to preserve the unity in diversity of Indonesia will always leave a lasting impression," Prabowo said.

Pope Francis visited Indonesia for four days from September 3-6, 2024, as part of his apostolic journey. During his four days in Indonesia, the Pope met with the 7th President, Joko Widodo or Jokowi, visited the Cathedral Church and Istiqlal Mosque, and held a Mass at the Main Stadium of Gelora Bung Karno.

During the Holy Mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on September 5, 2024, the Pope urged people not to tire of building civilization and peace in the archipelago. "Do not tire of sailing and spreading your path, do not tire of dreaming and rebuilding a civilization of peace. Always have the courage to dream of brotherhood!" said Pope Francis, as quoted by Antara.

The Pope also encouraged all Catholics in Indonesia to sow love with full confidence. It also inspires them to continue to show kindness and warmth with the typical smile that characterizes the Indonesian people to be builders of unity and peace. "In this way, you will spread a scent of hope around you," he said.

During his visit to the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, the Holy Father, whose real name was Jorge Mario Bergoglio, conveyed a prayer message for the Indonesian people. The message in Italian was written on ivory-colored paper with golden ink. "Embedded in the beauty of this land, a place of meeting and dialogue between different cultures and religions. I pray that the Indonesian people will continue to grow in faith, brotherhood, and love. May God bless Indonesia," said Pope Francis in a handwritten note in black ink.

Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, at his residence in Casa Santa Marta, Vatican. At 09:45 local time, Cardinal Kevin Farrell, the Camerlengo of the Apostolic Chamber, announced the death of the 88-year-old Pope Francis.

Doctors diagnosed Pope Francis with bilateral pneumonia on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, and he underwent treatment for 38 days in the hospital. The Pope returned to his residence at the Vatican in Casa Santa Marta for recovery. Due to his health condition, the Pope's public appearances were limited, and he eventually passed away a day after Easter Sunday. On the memorial of the death and ascension of Jesus Christ, Pope Francis briefly greeted the crowd from the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica. However, an aide read his Easter message.

Eka Yudha Saputra contributed to the writing of this article.

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