Indonesia Mourns Pope Francis with Requiem Mass and Vatican Delegation

TheIndonesia.co - A Requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis will be held at Jakarta Cathedral on Thursday, April 24th, 2025, at 6:00 PM WIB. The service will accommodate up to 2,500 people and be led by Vatican Ambassador to Indonesia Archbishop Piero Pioppo, alongside Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo and Bishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, head of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference.

According to Antara News Agency, Jakarta Cathedral's head priest, Father Hani Rudi Hartoko, emphasized that the Mass, facilitated by the Vatican Embassy, is open to the public without prior registration. Seats will be specially reserved for diplomats and Indonesian government representatives.

The Mass will be held in a simple, humble manner, reflecting the late Pope’s spirit and legacy.

"He wanted to be remembered as a shepherd, not as a glorified figure," said Father Hani. Pope Francis passed away on Monday, April 21, 2025, shortly after delivering his Urbi et Orbi Easter message.

Meanwhile, President Prabowo Subianto has appointed four prominent figures to represent Indonesia at the Pope’s funeral in Vatican City on Saturday, April 26th. The delegation includes former President Joko Widodo, Minister of Human Rights Natalius Pigai, Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Djiwandono, and former Minister Ignatius Jonan.

Presidential spokesperson Prasetyo Hadi stated the representatives were chosen to express national condolences and are scheduled to depart on April 24th or 25th. All four had previously met Pope Francis during his visit to Jakarta in September 2024, which included a Mass at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium and visits to Istiqlal Mosque and the Presidential Palace.

The funeral Mass in St. Peter’s Square, Vatican, will begin at 10:00 AM local time (3:00 PM WIB) and be led by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals. Attended by global clergy, the service will conclude with Ultima commendatio and Valedictio, marking the start of Novemdiales, a traditional nine-day mourning period.

Pope Francis’s body will be laid to rest at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome, honoring his final wishes. Numerous world leaders have confirmed attendance, including U.S. President Donald Trump, French President Emmanuel Macron, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and others from Germany, Ukraine, Argentina, and Brazil.