In a historic celebration at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium, Pope Francis donned attire deeply rooted in Indonesian culture during the Eucharistic celebration. The Pope wore a white pluvial, or collared cape, adorned with intricate Nusantara Cross ornaments on both sides of the front, which also appeared on his mitre, the tall hat symbolizing humility and spiritual leadership.
The Nusantara Cross, an extraordinary fusion of universal religious symbols and Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage, also featured prominently on the chasubles worn by the bishops and concelebrating priests during the Mass. The cross, with arms of equal length and an anchor-shaped moline pattern, forms distinctive eight-pointed curves, commonly associated with followers of Saint Benedict and the Benedictine Order.
This unique design draws inspiration from various regions across Indonesia. The Dayak motifs from Kalimantan represent the north, Sumba from East Nusa Tenggara symbolizes the south, Asmat from Papua represents the east, and Batak from North Sumatra signifies the western part of the country. Adding to its cultural richness, four Garuda wings, inspired by the beauty of Javanese batik, fill the spaces between the cross’s arms, while the center features floral patterns from Balinese weaving, creating a harmonious blend of Indonesia’s diverse cultures.
Embroidered predominantly with gold thread, the Nusantara Cross gives a luxurious yet humble impression, combining colors such as silver, brown, yellow, red, and white. This palette symbolizes both the glory of Christ’s Cross and the simplicity characteristic of Nusantara culture.
Designed with the principle of “beautiful yet simple”, Pope Francis’ attire was in line with the spirit of liturgical renewal, emphasizing nobili simplicitate (noble simplicity). This special vestment was commissioned by the Vatican Ambassador to Indonesia, Archbishop Piero Pioppo, and the Chairman of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI), Archbishop Antonius Subianto Bunjamin, OSC. The Bandung-based liturgical vestment designer, SangKris, was responsible for creating this stunning piece.
Pope Francis’ attire at GBK not only symbolized spiritual humility but also celebrated Indonesia’s diverse and vibrant cultural heritage on a global stage.
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