Pope Francis' Visit to Promote Respect for Religious Freedom, Ambassador Says
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30 August 2024 10:19 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See, Michael Trias Kuncahyono, said Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia is intended to promote respect for the freedom of religion, especially Catholicism. Pope Francis also wants to re-learn how a country as diverse as Indonesia can have inter-religious harmony.
Trias said Pope Francis aims to remind all people that despite everyone’s differences, people of the world can maintain kinship. Pope’s visit to Jakarta, he emphasized, will be meaningful not only for Catholics but for all Indonesian people.
“He (Pope Francis) is not a political figure, but a moral figure,” Trias said, adding that the Pope always advocates for peace and prays for areas affected by conflicts.
Pope Francis also values Pancasila highly, upholds the one and only God, recognizes humanity, as well as fights for social justice, Trias said.
Regarding bilateral relations between Indonesia and the Vatican, Trias said the relations are improving, adding that it’s Pope Francis’ third visit to the country.
He said the Vatican has diplomatic relations with 184 countries, but not all have been visited by Pope Francis. This includes Argentina, where the Pope was born.
Meanwhile, Trias points out that Indonesia is the largest missionary senders in the world, a fact greatly appreciated by the Holy See. The Vatican was the first European country to recognize Indonesia’s independence in 1947, through diplomatic relations between the two countries began in 1950.
The recognition of Indonesia’s Independence is based on the nation’s universal struggle for humanity, freeing the nation from oppression and opposing colonialism.
Pope Francis will reportedly arrive in Indonesia on September 3. The Pope lines up several agendas during his visit to the archipelagic country, including leading a grand Mass on September 5.
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