Jokowi: Pope Francis' Visit Delivers Message of Celebrating Diversity
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4 September 2024 13:51 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo interpreted Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia as a powerful message of celebrating diversity. He emphasized that this visit is beneficial for Indonesia as a multi-ethnic country.
He conveyed this message during a meeting with Pope Francis, government officials, ambassadors of friendly countries, and religious figures at the State Palace on Wednesday, September 4, 2025. The President highlighted Indonesia's rich cultural diversity, with 714 tribes, ethnicities, and 17,000 islands.
“This visit carries a very strong message about the importance of embracing differences,” the President stated.
For Indonesia, he emphasized that differences are a gift. Tolerance serves as the foundation for unity and peace as a nation. The former governor of Jakarta asserted that Indonesia is fortunate to have Pancasila (the state philosophy) and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (Unity in Diversity) as guiding principles for harmonious coexistence.
“This spirit of peace and tolerance is what Indonesia and the Vatican aim to spread, particularly in today's increasingly turbulent world,” he said.
At the event at the State Palace, Pope Francis delivered his speech in Italian. Tempo has not been able to provide a direct quote of the Pope's statement.
The visit of Pope Francis from Buenos Aires to Indonesia from September 3 to 6 marks the third visit of the Catholic leader to the country. Previously, Pope Paul VI visited Indonesia in 1970, followed 19 years later by John Paul II in 1989.
During his Jakarta visit, Pope Francis is scheduled to lead a Grand Mass at the GBK Stadium on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
DANIEL A. FAJRI
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