REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) welcomed the planned apostolic and state visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia in early September 2024. President Jokowi reiterated that this visit will be an important moment to discuss various global issues, especially related to world peace.

“It's all about peace. I think that's a very important thing that we will talk to him about,” President Jokowi said.

The Head of State expressed his hope to be able to discuss directly with Pope Francis some of the world conflicts such as those in Gaza and Ukraine which were the main focus of the discussions.

Also, Antonius Subianto Bunjamín, Chairman of the Indonesian Walichurch Conference (KWI), said that Pope Francis's visit to Indonesia received a warm welcome from religious leaders.

“This visit brings a humanitarian and brotherly mission that is expected to strengthen Indonesia's position as an agent of humanitarian brotherhood in Asia,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Archbishop of Jakarta, Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo, confirmed that the Vatican is interested in learning more about Islam in Indonesia which has unique and distinct characteristics from other countries.

“The Vatican is very interested in studying Islam in Indonesia, because it has unique and distinct characteristics from other Islamic countries,” Suharyo said.

For information, Pope Francis's visit is the third papal visit to Indonesia, continuing a tradition started by Pope St. Paul VI in 1970 and Pope St. John Paul II in 1989. Pope Francis's visit is an important moment to strengthen diplomatic and religious relations between Indonesia and the Vatican, and strengthen world peace through interfaith dialogue.

Pope Francis's visit to Indonesia has a solid agenda that reflects the symbol of inter-religious harmony in Indonesia. Pope Francis arrived on September 3, 2024 and will be received stateside by President Jokowi at Jakarta's Merdeka Palace on September 4, 2024.

Next, on September 5, Pope Francis will visit two iconic places in Jakarta that symbolize the harmony of religious people, namely the Istiqlal Mosque and the Jakarta Cathedral Church. The visit will conclude with a grand mass at Gelora Bung Karno which is expected to be attended by thousands of Catholics from all over Indonesia.

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