What did the children give to Pope Francis at Jakarta airport?

As Pope Francis made his first appearance on the tarmac of Soekarno–Hatta International Airport in Indonesia on September 3, the first people who greeted him were two children.

They presented the pope with a bouquet that noticeably was topped not by flowers as usual, but by what looked like a bunch of fiery red chilis.

So, what did the children give to the pope to welcome him to their country after a 13-hour flight?

The bouquet was crafted from various vegetables, fruits, leaves and spices - all things that are very familiar to all Indonesians - symbolizing the most fundamental principle of Indonesia as a true multi-ethnic nation.

Designed by Ivan Linggar, a Jesuit-educated alumnus of Gonzaga Senior High School, Pejaten, the bouquet represented the nation’s political motto, 'Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,' which means 'Unity in Diversity.'

Children welcome Pope Francis to Indonesia, September 3, 2024. (Photo used with permission from Vatican Media)

Reflecting the diverse identity of Indonesia

Vegetables, fruits, and spices were chosen to reflect Indonesia as an agrarian country.

Coconut leaves wrapped all the material into one reflects Indonesia as a maritime country.

Rice, cotton, and “Beringin” leaves represented Pancasila, the nation’s fundamental philosophy and basic guidelines for all people in the society.

Red-and-white ribbon represented the spirit of unity among multi-ethnic Indonesian society to adopt “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”

Additionally, in keeping with the spirit of Laudato Si’, Linggar, intentionally used all materials that can are biodegradeable or can be recycled.

Mary Lourdes Wicaksono Atmojo (6) from Central Jakarta and Irfan Wael (12) from Buru Island in Central Molucca (Maluku) presented the bouquet to Pope Francis as a gesture of unity and respect.

Buru Island has a dark past as the site where thousands of political prisoners, linked to the '30 September 1965' coup attempt by the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI), were sent.

These prisoners were forced to live and work on the island, often without proper legal proceedings. Anyone connected to the PKI—whether active members or merely sympathizers—was exiled to this remote island.

Following his arrival, Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi), where discussions on fostering interfaith dialogue are expected to take center stage.

On September 5, the Pope will participate in an interfaith dialogue at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, alongside representatives from Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism.

Children welcome Pope Francis to Indonesia, September 3, 2024. (Video by Vatican Media)

With generous support from
Aid to the Church in Need
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples

Produced by Peter Monthienvichienchai

Published September 3, 2024