Pope Francis Lauds Indonesian Citizens' Family Values

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Francis appreciated Indonesia as a country where the citizens maintain family values. The Pope conveyed his statement before President Joko Widodo or Jokowi, President-elect Prabowo Subianto, and several ministries and state representatives at Merdeka Palace on Wednesday, September 4, 2024.

The Pope, whose birthname is Jorge Mario Bergoglio, said many countries have shifted their perspective on families. Citizens in these countries prefer to have pets, namely cats and dogs, to children. 

“In your country, people have three, four, five children. In this, you offer an example to other countries,” Pope Francis said. President Jokowi laughed in response. 

Pope Francis previously released the Amoris Laetitia document, a post-synodal apostolic exhortation in 2016, addressing pastoral care of families. The Bishop of Rome highlighted divorces and urged Catholics to be faithful in families.

Pope Francis embarks on an apostolic journey to Indonesia from September 3 to 6, 2024. He will lead a mass at GBK Stadium in Jakarta tomorrow, September 5.

Pope Francis has drafted various messages that have been and will be delivered to the Indonesian government, the church, and interfaith groups. He highlighted the role of religion as a bridge to harmony. 

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA

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