Indonesia Unites in Prayer: Requiem Masses for Pope Francis

TheIndonesia.co - Following the passing of Pope Francis on April 21st, 2025, Catholics across Indonesia have come together in heartfelt Requiem Masses to honor and pray for the soul of the beloved spiritual leader. From bustling cities to quiet towns, the late pope’s message of humility, compassion, and unity echoed through every sanctuary, chapel, and classroom.

According to Antara News Agency, in Bandarlampung, the faithful at St. John the Apostle Parish celebrated the Easter Octave while also offering prayers for Pope Francis.

“Tonight, we pray for our Holy Father who was called home by God,” said parish priest Fr. Petrus Tripomo. His homily reflected admiration for the pope's open-hearted leadership. “He reminded us that the Eucharist is not just a ritual—it is a deep longing for communion with God, something that must continue,” he added. Fr. Tripomo also expressed gratitude for the pope’s visit to Indonesia in 2024, a moment still cherished by many.

In Makassar, over a hundred worshippers gathered at the Katedral Makassar on Jalan Kajaolalido. Bishop Franciscus Nipa, who led the Mass, shared that the Requiem was also being held in parishes across the archdiocese.

“Each Mass reflects our prayers for the safety of Pope Francis’s soul and our commitment to continue his spiritual legacy,” he said.

The bishop emphasized that the pope’s spiritual contributions must endure, adapted to the needs of modern times.

“We pray the funeral ceremony in Rome proceeds smoothly, as we reflect on the enduring grace he left us.”

A deeply moving Requiem was also held in Surabaya, where interfaith leaders joined Catholics at Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral. Among them was Rita Wahyu Wulandari, a philosophy lecturer at the Israel Bible Center.

“Pope Francis embodied the spirit of the Second Vatican Council—uniting Christians and embracing all faiths,” she reflected.

“His leadership transcended denominations and religions.” Bishop Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo echoed her sentiment, noting, “A religious leader of his stature becomes a father to all people, not just to his own flock.”

On Belitung Island, hundreds gathered at Regina Pacis Parish in Tanjungpandan for an evening prayer service led by Fr. Fransiskus Paskalis and Assistant Pastor Gonzales Kun. Parish secretary Yohannes Djohan Wijaya said the prayer was a communal expression of love and respect.

“We came together as one church, one people, to pray for the Holy Father,” he stated.

In Rangkasbitung, Banten, the congregation of the Immaculate Conception Parish mourned deeply.

“His passing, just one day after Easter, shocked us all,” said church spokesperson Toto Nurbertus.

“For us in Indonesia, his visit last year still feels fresh. His presence gave us strength and reminded us that no corner of the world is too far for God’s shepherd.”

At SMP Katolik Slamet Riyadi in Ponorogo, East Java, students and teachers held daily memorial services throughout the week.

“We remember him as a leader who embraced the little ones with love,” said school principal Kresensiana Vitarini.

“This is our way of saying goodbye to someone who made a lasting impact on Catholic education and the hearts of the young,” she added.

In Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara, a region spiritually tied to the late pope, over a hundred Catholics gathered at the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit. Bishop Maksimus Regus recalled how Pope Francis had founded their diocese just months before his passing.

“His simplicity was power,” he preached. “He showed us how to resist greed through humility and sufficiency. That spirit must live on in us.”

These tributes, scattered across islands and cultures, together form a chorus of reverence and remembrance. Pope Francis, a man who once walked Indonesian soil, now rests, remembered not only as the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church, but as a shepherd who reached across borders, languages, and faiths to touch the hearts of millions.