Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas warmly welcomed Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia, marking a significant moment in the country’s history as part of the Pope’s apostolic journey through several Asian nations.
“We are delighted and proud to host Pope Francis in our country. This visit is historic, especially as the last papal visit to Indonesia was back in 1970,” Yaqut stated on Tuesday.
Although the visit was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it finally materialized from September 3-6, 2024, following years of careful planning.
“After 35 years, we were able to arrange this important visit by the leader of the Catholic Church,” he added.
Yaqut, who had previously met the Pope, shared that Francis highlighted the crucial role of dialogue between religious communities in fostering tolerance and promoting world peace.
“I believe this message will be a key point of discussion during the Pope’s meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Palace,” Yaqut noted, referring to the meeting scheduled for September 4.
The Pope’s visit to the Istiqlal Mosque is also seen as a significant step toward enhancing peace and understanding among religious communities in Indonesia.
“On behalf of the government, I extend a warm welcome to Pope Francis to Indonesia, the land of Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika,” Yaqut said, referencing the nation’s foundational principle of unity in diversity.
Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday at approximately 11:25 AM local time.
During his visit, Pope Francis will meet with President Jokowi on September 4 at the Merdeka Palace.
On September 5, the Pope will participate in an interfaith gathering at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta and engage with beneficiaries of charitable work through the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI).
The visit will culminate in a grand mass led by Pope Francis at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on the same day.
