Jakarta – Pope Francis today arrived in Jakarta with a message of harmony and tolerance among religious communities in the world. The Indonesian people welcomed him warmly and joyfully because it was 35 years since Pope John Paul II visited Indonesia.
Catholic Youth Figure Stefanus Gunawan said that the arrival of Pope Francis has a deep meaning for harmony and tolerance between religious communities and brings a message of peace from Indonesia to the world.
“I hope the Pope’s arrival will further strengthen the relationship of tolerance between ethnicities and religions in Indonesia,” said Stefanus Gunawan when met by media crews in Jakarta, Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
Stefanus Gunawan also hopes that the arrival of the Pope, who is also the Head of State of the Vatican, will be a symbol of friendship, tolerance and a message of peace.
“Indonesia is a country rich in ethnic and religious diversity, the arrival of the Pope will not only be a symbol of friendship and tolerance, but bring a message of peace to the world that Indonesia remains united amidst differences. We live side by side, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika and Pancasila are not just jargon, he explained.
“May the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis always be blessed, we the people of Indonesia, especially Catholics, will welcome it with great joy,” he concluded.
For information, Pope Francis visited Indonesia on Tuesday (3/9/2024) to Friday (6/9/2024). The owner of the real name Jorge Mario Bergoglio is scheduled to meet President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and Catholic church leaders in Indonesia.
Pope Francis is also scheduled to visit the Cathedral Church and the Istiqlal Mosque before leading a mass with Catholics at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta.
For information, the visit of the Supreme Leader of the World Catholic Church and Head of State of the Vatican is the third pope to visit since Indonesia’s independence.
Previously, Indonesia was visited by Pope Saint Paul VI on 3-4 December 1970 and Pope John Paul II on 9-14 October 1989.