Jakarta. Pope Francis, the leader of the global Catholic Church, arrived at Merdeka Palace on Wednesday morning to meet with President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo.

The Pope, traveling in a white Toyota Innova Zenix, was greeted by the enthusiastic cheers of children and the public who had gathered in the courtyard of the Presidential Palace to welcome him.

After stepping out of the car and settling into his wheelchair, Pope Francis took a moment to greet some of the children who had eagerly awaited his arrival. He then proceeded to meet President Jokowi before moving to the front of the palace to participate in a state ceremony.

This marks the third papal visit to Indonesia. In 1970, then-President Soeharto welcomed Pope Paul VI, and in 1989, Pope John Paul II also visited the country.

During the ceremony, Pope Francis was beside President Jokowi. Following the ceremony, President Jokowi introduced the ministers present to welcome the Pope.

The first minister introduced was Prabowo Subianto, with Jokowi taking a bit more time introducing the president-elect to Pope Francis compared to the other ministers. Following these introductions, a meeting was held inside Merdeka Palace.

Upon his arrival in Indonesia on Tuesday, Pope Francis was warmly welcomed by orphans, the sick, and refugees at the Vatican Embassy (Nunciature) in Central Jakarta. The Holy Father greeted around 40 people from marginalized communities during the brief yet heartfelt gathering.

"The Pope has always paid special attention to the poor, the abandoned, refugees, and victims of human trafficking," said Fr. Martinus Dam Febrianto SJ, Indonesia Country Director of Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).

Pope Francis' concern for marginalized groups was emphasized in his 2013 Apostolic Exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium, written shortly after his election as the leader of the global Catholic Church. In it, he underscores the importance of drawing near to new forms of poverty and vulnerability, recognizing the suffering Christ in those who are most in need, even when it offers no immediate or tangible benefits.

"How beautiful are those cities which overcome paralyzing mistrust, integrate those who are different, and make this very integration a new factor of development!" the Pope wrote, calling for generous openness and the creation of spaces that connect and recognize others.

Indonesia will be the 66th country visited by Pope Francis since the start of his papacy in 2013. Following his visit to Jakarta, he will travel to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore before returning to Rome on September 13.

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