Inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. The Directorate General of Catholic Community Guidance of the Ministry of Religious Affairs has announced that Indonesia’s first basilica, the Basilica of Nusantara St. Francis Xavier, will be built in the new capital, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN).

The basilica is a joint project involving the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Ministry of Religious Affairs, the Indonesian Bishops Conference (KWI), and the Ibu Kota Nusantara Authority (OIKN). 

Suparman, the Director General of Catholic Community Guidance, said on Tuesday (30/7/2024) that construction will begin by October 2024, with a target completion date of March 2025. 

The basilica will span about 11,998 square meters, according to antaranews.com.

St. Francis Xavier was chosen as the patron saint for his role as a missionary who brought Christianity to Asia, symbolizing unity. 

Archbishop Monsignor Yustinus Harjosusanto explained that a basilica, needing papal approval, will host significant church events and possibly papal visits.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)