Welcoming Pope Francis: A Symbol of Brotherhood and Religious Harmony in the Homeland
By Jeremy Notonegoro
Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia from September 3-6, 2024, is great news for Catholics in the country. The presence of the supreme leader of the Catholic Church in the world is not only awaited by the Catholic community but also by the entire Indonesian society that upholds the values of brotherhood and tolerance among religious communities. During this visit, Pope Francis is expected to convey a message of peace, faith, and love, which are essential foundations for maintaining harmony amidst the diversity of culture, religion, ethnicity, and race in Indonesia.
Religious moderation and tolerance are the central themes that are hoped to be highlighted during Pope Francis’ visit. The Bishop of Padang, MGR Vitus Rubianto Solichin, emphasized that this visit is expected to encourage all people in Indonesia to become agents of peace and love. They hope that with the visit of Pope Francis, which voices brotherhood, faith, and love, the entire community will truly become agents of peace and love among the people of Indonesia, who are rich in cultural, religious, ethnic, and racial diversity.
This message is relevant to the situation in Indonesia, which is rich in diversity. In this context, religious moderation is not just a slogan, but must be a principle firmly held by all elements of society. With religious moderation, we are encouraged not to be extreme in our faith, but to make religion a source of love and peace, not division.
Pope Francis’s visit also demands the readiness of all parties in maintaining security and conducive conditions. The Indonesian government has made various preparations to ensure that this visit proceeds in an orderly, safe, and smooth manner. Cooperation between the Indonesian National Armed Forces (TNI), the National Police (Polri), and other security apparatus is being enhanced to ensure safety during the visit.
In addition, all layers of society are urged to participate in maintaining a conducive atmosphere in the lead-up to and during the visit. Religious leaders from various backgrounds are inviting their followers to welcome this visit with joy and peace. It is important that Pope Francis’s visit not only becomes a historic moment for Catholics but also serves as a collective momentum for all the people of Indonesia to show the world that Indonesia is a peaceful, friendly country that upholds the values of tolerance.
Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia is a source of pride for the Indonesian people. This demonstrates the world’s recognition of Indonesia as the country with the largest Muslim population that is able to maintain harmony among different religious communities. The President Director of Lafadz Nusantara Center, Deni Iskandar, stated that this visit is an important moment for the Indonesian nation. In his view, during the dialogue of Pope Francis at Istiqlal, Indonesia will certainly be in the spotlight of the world.
Deni also emphasized the importance of the role of all religious followers in Indonesia in ensuring the success of this visit. In his meeting with the Baha’i community, Deni conveyed that Pope Francis’s dialogue at Istiqlal Mosque with religious leaders is one of the important agendas that could have a positive impact on religious life in Indonesia. In this regard, Nasrin Astani, a representative of the Baha’i community in Indonesia, also expressed her appreciation for Pope Francis’s visit and stated her readiness to contribute to the success of the event.
Religious leaders have also issued appeals to their followers to maintain a conducive atmosphere during Pope Francis’ visit. The call for mutual respect and maintaining order has been conveyed by religious leaders, not only from the Catholic community but also from other religions. This shows that Pope Francis’s visit is a moment that unites all religious communities in Indonesia.
On this occasion, religious leaders from various backgrounds are expected to engage in dialogue and share perspectives on the challenges faced by religious communities in Indonesia, including issues such as the climate crisis highlighted by Deni Iskandar as a global challenge that needs to be addressed collectively. This interfaith dialogue serves as evidence that Indonesia is a country that values diversity and is capable of maintaining harmony amidst differences.
As the host, Indonesia has demonstrated a mature readiness in welcoming the arrival of Pope Francis. The preparations made are not only in terms of security but also in aspects of diplomacy and state protocol. This visit is not only an opportunity for Pope Francis to connect with the Catholic community in Indonesia, but it also serves as an important moment for Indonesia to strengthen its relationship with the Vatican and showcase its role on the international stage.
During his visit, Pope Francis is scheduled to visit several important places in Jakarta, including the Jakarta Cathedral, the Presidential Palace, Istiqlal Mosque, and Gelora Bung Karno. This visit is expected to strengthen the relationship between the Vatican and Indonesia, as well as enhance understanding and tolerance among religious communities in Indonesia.
The presence of Pope Francis in Indonesia is expected to serve as a momentum for all Indonesian people to further strengthen their commitment to maintaining unity and togetherness amidst diversity. By warmly welcoming this visit, Indonesia not only demonstrates hospitality and tolerance but also reinforces its position as a country that upholds the values of Pancasila and Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
The Indonesian people hope that Pope Francis’s visit will be a historic moment that can strengthen interfaith relations and enhance the spirit of tolerance in Indonesia. In prayer and hope, the Indonesian people welcome the arrival of Pope Francis with open arms, full of joy and peace.
The author is a Catholic Youth of Indonesia.
