JAKARTA – In anticipation of Pope Francis’ visit to Jakarta, Indonesia’s state-owned postal service, Pos Indonesia, has released a special set of commemorative stamps. The stamps, which were unveiled on September 2 at the Jakarta Cathedral, feature a white-and-gold design centered around Pope Francis. The collection includes two denominations: Rp 3,500 (about 30 Singapore cents) and Rp 40,000.
During the launch event, Jakarta Archbishop Ignatius Suharyo emphasized that the stamps align with the overarching theme of the Pope’s visit: Faith, fraternity, and compassion. “I believe the theme is not only applicable for Indonesian Catholics, but also for the nation,” he remarked, highlighting the broader significance of the Pope’s message for Indonesia.
Pope Francis arrived in Jakarta on September 3 for a three-day visit focused on fostering interreligious dialogue, as part of a broader four-nation tour across the Asia-Pacific region. His visit is seen as a significant moment for promoting interfaith harmony in Indonesia, a country known for its religious diversity.
Pos Indonesia has made the Pope Francis stamps available for purchase at major post offices across Java and in Pontianak, West Kalimantan. A set of 18 Rp 3,500 stamps is priced at Rp 63,000, and a special collector’s sheet featuring two Rp 40,000 stamps is also on sale. This marks the second time that Pos Indonesia has released a limited edition stamp for a visiting pontiff, following a similar issue during Pope John Paul II’s visit to the country in 1989.
As part of his visit, Pope Francis is scheduled to meet outgoing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on September 4 and will visit the Jakarta Cathedral to engage with the local church community. On September 5, the Pope is expected to deliver a message of interfaith harmony during an interreligious meeting at Istiqlal Mosque, and he will later lead a mass at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium, where approximately 70,000 attendees are expected.
Pope Francis will conclude his visit to Jakarta on September 6 and continue his tour to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.