Visiting State Palace, Pope Praises Indonesia’s Commitment to Maintaining Unity Amid Diversity

Jakarta – Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that the visit of the world’s highest leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, to Indonesia has a strong message about the importance of celebrating differences.

“This visit has a very strong message about the importance of celebrating differences,” President Jokowi said in his remarks at a meeting of Pope Francis with the Diplomatic Corps and community representatives at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday.

In the meeting, the Head of State said that Indonesia is a pluralistic country consisting of various ethnicities, namely 714 tribes and 17,000 inhabited islands.

According to the President, Indonesian citizens on the 17,000 islands have different cultures, religions, and ethnicities so that the Indonesian nation also continues to strive to maintain harmony amidst the diversity it has.

For Indonesia, Jokowi added, differences are a gift, while tolerance is fertilizer for unity and peace as a nation.

“Indonesia is very fortunate to have Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika so that we can live side by side in harmony,” said the President.

On the same occasion, the Pope praised Indonesia’s commitment to maintaining unity amidst diversity. He said the spirit of Bhinneka Tunggal Ika unites the nation consisting of 714 ethnic groups.

He also appreciated Indonesia’s commitment to peace in the opening of the constitution. According to him, Indonesia has good capital in matters of tolerance and peace.

“May God bless Indonesia with peace, for a future full of hope. God bless you all!” the Pope said in closing his speech.