Minister Of Religion Congratulates Pope Leo XIV, Appreciation Of First Message Of Peace

JAKARTA - Minister of Religion Nasaruddin Umar congratulated the election of Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost as the supreme leader of the world's Catholics and appreciated his first message after being confirmed as the 267th Pope.

"The message of peace and prosperity from Pope Leo XIV in his inaugural speech deserves our appreciation. This is a universal message that we must jointly strive for the life of this world to be more peaceful in the future," said the Minister of Religion, Friday, May 9.

Cardinal Robert Francis Vost was elected in the conclave process that has been going on since May 7, 2025.

Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost will use Pope Leo XIV's early name. He was elected leader of the new Catholic Church to replace Pope Francis who died on April 21, 2025.

The Minister of Religion appreciated Pope Leo XIV for being committed to continuing the struggle of the late Pope Francis. According to him, Pope Francis has carved many things in an effort to realize world peace.

In addition to the Human Brotherhood Documan which was signed with Grand Sheikh Al Azhar in 2019, Pope Francis has also signed the Istiqlal Declaration with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Nasaruddin Umar in September 2024.

This declaration was born as interfaith diplomacy that focuses on humanitarian issues and environmental conservation.

This declaration, among other things, confirms that religious values are the source of solutions to global challenges, ranging from dehumanization, climate change, to social inequality.

"We hope that the commitment to the Istiqlal Declaration will continue to be well established and established in Pope Leo XIV's leadership for a more humanist world, a more sustainable nature, and a stronger and more unequal social cohesion," said the Minister of Religion.