POPE FRANCIS VISITS INDONESIA, PRAISES CULTURAL AND RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

Jakarta – Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, marking the first stop of his 12-day Asia-Pacific apostolic journey. This visit is highly anticipated, as Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world, while Catholics make up only about 3 percent of its 280 million inhabitants.

It is Pope Francis' first visit to Indonesia and the second papal visit in over three decades, following Pope John Paul II’s trip to the country in 1989. This visit also marks the 45th foreign apostolic journey that Pope Francis has undertaken since he was appointed in 2013.

Upon his arrival in Jakarta, Pope Francis was warmly welcomed by high-ranking officials and thousands of Catholics and members of the public who eagerly awaited his presence. The following day, Pope Francis met with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace. During the meeting, the Pope praised Indonesia for its well-maintained cultural and religious diversity, emphasizing the importance of harmony in diversity as the foundation of peace and unity.

“Harmony can be achieved in diversity when each ethnic and religious group considers the common needs of all and acts in the spirit of brotherhood. Serving the common good is a noble goal,” Pope Francis said in his speech.

President Joko Widodo, commonly known as Jokowi, also expressed his appreciation for Pope Francis' visit. He affirmed that Indonesia sees diversity as a blessing and that tolerance is the foundation of national unity. "The spirit of peace and tolerance is what Indonesia and the Vatican seek to spread around the world, especially in an increasingly turbulent global situation," President Jokowi stated.

In addition to discussing issues of diversity and tolerance, President Jokowi also expressed his gratitude for the Vatican's continued support for peace in Palestine and the two-state solution. According to Jokowi, prolonged conflict only brings suffering to ordinary people and benefits no one.

Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia will conclude with a grand mass on Thursday, which is expected to be attended by around 70,000 Catholics from across the country. Afterward, the Pope is scheduled to depart Indonesia on Friday to continue his journey to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore before returning to Rome on September 13.

This visit delivers a strong message of peace and tolerance amid the growing global challenges.