ASIATODAY.ID, JAKARTA – Supreme Leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, visited Indonesia on Tuesday, September 3 2024.
The Minister of Religion of the Republic of Indonesia, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, said that Pope Francis’ visit should be interpreted as a desire to build peace between religious communities.
Therefore, he invited the Indonesian people to show unity and oneness, an attitude of understanding and mutual understanding.
“We hope that Pope Francis will see how diversity in Indonesia can be well maintained,” said Yaqut in Jakarta.
The Minister of Religion’s statement was made when welcoming Pope Francis’ arrival at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Also present at the reception were the Archbishop of Jakarta, Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Chairman of the Committee for Pope Francis’ Visit to Indonesia Ignasius Jonan, a number of Echelon I officials from the Ministry of Religion.
Yaqut conveyed a message from Pope Francis about the importance of maintaining interfaith dialogue because interfaith dialogue is the key to tolerance and world peace.
“After meeting with the president, Pope Francis will continue the meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque, there will be an Interfaith Dialogue event. I think this is a manifestation of what he said earlier, that dialogue is the main key to the success of peace, not only in the world, but between mankind,” said Yaqut.
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Indonesia, said Yaqut, is a matter of pride. Previously, Pope Paul the 6th also visited Indonesia in 1970, and Pope Johannes Paul the 2nd in 1989.
“In my opinion, the most important thing about all this process is strengthening relations between Indonesia and the Vatican,” he added. (AT Network)
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