Pope Francis' Jakarta Visit a Testament to Indonesia-Vatican Ties, Says Minister
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3 September 2024 07:48 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas has hailed the visit of Pope Francis to Jakarta as a testament to the strong bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the Vatican.
“The visit shows the close bond between Indonesia and the Vatican. Not all countries have had the privilege of hosting the Pope,” the Minister stated at the Senayan Parliament Complex in Jakarta on Monday, September 2, 2024.
He emphasized the significance of the Catholic Church leader’s visit, noting that even Argentina, the Pope's homeland, has not been visited.
Pope Francis is scheduled to be in Indonesia from September 3 to 6, 2024. He is expected to arrive in Indonesia on Tuesday, September 3, at 11:30 a.m. Jakarta time. On September 4, he is set to meet President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta.
On September 5, Pope Francis will attend an interfaith meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta and subsequently meet with beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the Office of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI).
Minister Yaqut believes that the Pope's visit carries a profound message of unity in diversity. “Indonesia's rich religious diversity makes it an ideal destination for the Pope. I believe his visit will convey a message of peace,” he said.
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