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From telegram blessings to common car, Pope shows kindness, humility in Jakarta trip
From sending blessings through telegrams to heads of state whose countries he passes over to riding in a car commonly used by regular Indonesians, Pope Francis has shown a display of humility during his visit to Jakarta, which Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said should be an example for the people.
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Pope Francis is welcomed on Sept. 4, 2024, as he arrives at the Jakarta Cathedral in Jakarta. Pope Francis' grueling Asia-Pacific tour got into full swing on Sept. 4 with the 87-year-old appearing in good health and strong spirits as he met President Joko “Jokowi“ Widodo and other political figures. (AFP/Tiziana Fabi)
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ope Francis’ 12-day tour of Asia-Pacific countries may be the longest and most physically demanding yet for the 87-year-old pope, but that has not stopped him from sharing his blessings to heads of state and common people or from showing humility, a value that he has held dear throughout his life.
Pope Francis started his journey on Monday afternoon when his chartered ITA Airways aircraft took off from the Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome at 5:32 p.m. local time.
The 13-hour overnight flight passed over several European countries including Bulgaria and Serbia, the Muslim-majority nations of Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and Malaysia and Hindu-majority India.
As his aircraft passed over each country, the pope sent a telegram to its head of state to ask for prayer for his 12-day journey to Asia-Pacific countries as well as to invoke God’s blessing for them and their people.
“Fondly remembering Your Excellency’s visit to the Vatican,” the pope wrote to Bulgarian president Rumen Radev, in a statement issued on Tuesday.
“Please accept my cordial good wishes to you and the people of Bulgaria as I fly over your country on my Apolostic journey to Indonesia. I assure you of my prayers for the prosperity of the nation.”
