Jakarta. The National Police will deploy thousands of personnel to ensure security during Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia, scheduled for September 3-6.

Police spokesman Brigadier General Trunoyudo Wisnu Andiko announced on Tuesday that 3,443 officers from the Jakarta Police will be on standby, supported by an additional 1,077 personnel from the National Police headquarters, bringing the total to more than 4,500 officers.

The security operation, dubbed Operation Tribrata Jaya, will be activated on September 2, one day before the Pope’s arrival.

Pope Francis will be welcomed by President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta on September 4. The following day, he is scheduled to attend an interfaith dialogue at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta.

Later on September 5, he will meet with Indonesian church authorities.

"In the afternoon of September 5, the Pope will lead a mass service at Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, which is expected to draw thousands of Catholic followers," Trunoyudo said. "The National Police will take charge of security arrangements to ensure that the Pope’s activities in Indonesia proceed safely and smoothly."

The Vatican has released the itinerary for Pope Francis’ trip from September 2-13, which includes visits to Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.

The 87-year-old pontiff will be the third pope to visit Indonesia, following Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989.

Add as a preferred source on Google +