Vice President: Pope Francis' Arrival Brings Brotherhood-humanity Mission

SERANG - Vice President (Vice President) Ma'ruf Amin interprets the arrival of World Catholic Church Leader Pope Francis to Indonesia with a mission of brotherhood and humanity.

"Regarding Pope Francis, all of us throughout Indonesia welcomed the visit and the visit was indeed part of the world brotherhood movement," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin as quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, September 3.

The vice president also said that previously Pope Francis had also met with Grand Sheikh al-AzharDr. Ahmad el-Thayeb in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE), to build brotherhood and humanity.

"Yesterday, humanity and brotherhood were initiated in Abu Dhabi," said Vice President Ma'ruf Amin.

For information, together with Grand Syeikh al-Azhar Ahmad el-Thayeb, Pope Francis signed an Abu Dhabi Document on Human Fraternity which shows the common spirit of teaching and commitment of Islam and Catholicism in building human dignity and cooperation between faith and peace.

The vice president also said that the two largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia were Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah had also won awards about humanity and brotherhood.

"There is even a kind of reward for Indonesia, from the four awards given about humanity and brotherhood, two of us are Indonesia, namely two big mass organizations NU and Muhammadiyah," said the Vice President.

NU and Muhammadiyah won the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity or Zayed Award for the 2024 Human Brotherhood delivered by Abu Dhabi, UAE in February 2024.

The award was given because the two Islamic organizations are considered to have extraordinary efforts in overcoming complex social challenges. In addition, both of them are also considered to have promoted international peace and solidarity with grassroots communities.

For this reason, the Vice President welcomed Pope Francis' arrival which is expected to build brotherhood throughout the nation in the world.

"Therefore, we welcome and this will build brotherhood and friendship of all nations in the world, whatever their religion, whatever their nation, so that we can stop the wars that exist everywhere. We thank you for the visit," said the Vice President.

The Vice President expressed his gratitude for Pope Francis and the Indonesian nation's happy and friendly visit. After arriving in Indonesia on Tuesday today, the next day Pope Francis made a visit to President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace at around 10.00 WIB.

Still on the same day, the Pope whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergoglio met with government officials, the diplomatic corps, community leaders, and civil society in the State Palace Hall.

Almost an hour later or around 11.30 WIB held a private meeting with members of the Jesuit Union at the Nunciantura Apostolic of the Vatican Embassy Office in Jakarta.

In the afternoon or 16.30 WIB the former Archbishop of Buenos Aires is scheduled to meet bishops, priests, dipacons, monks, seminarists, and catechists at the Maria Church Lifted to Heaven, the Jakarta Cathedral Church.

Young people from Scholas Occurantes were given the opportunity to meet Pope Francis at the Graha Pemuda Senayan Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth Youth, at 17.35 WIB.