Ministry Of Religion: Pope Francis' Arrival Shows Guarantee Religious Harmony

Pope Francis. (Pixabay-Gunthersimmermacher)

JAKARTA - Spokesperson for the Ministry of Religion (Kemenag) Sunanto said the visit of the leader of the Catholic Church Pope Francis to Indonesia shows that international inter-religious harmony in the country is guaranteed.

"When it comes to the value of religious moderation, it becomes very important in conveying messages to the Indonesian people and showing the world that religious harmony in Indonesia has been guaranteed and has been implemented," said Sunanto in Jakarta, Monday, September 2, as quoted by Antara.

The leader of the World Catholic Church, Pope Francis will travel avertholics to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore on September 3-13, 2024.

Indonesia became the first country in a series of visits by Pope Francis to the Asia Pacific region, namely from September 3 to 6, 2024.

Sunanto said that according to the arrival flow, the Ministry of Religion participated as part of welcoming activities while in Indonesia. Not only the Ministry of Religion, a number of ministries/agencies will also help smooth Pope Francis' visit.

"God willing, we have prepared the Pope's arrival to Indonesia, so it is part of preparation," said Cak Nanto.

Indonesia, said Cak Nanto, will convey to Pope Francis about the religious moderation that has been built so far. This will also voice inter-religious harmony to the international community.

"Religious moderation from across religions will definitely be conveyed," he said.

Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive in Indonesia on September 3, 2024 at noon. Then, the next day or September 4, 2024, the leader of the Catholics is scheduled to meet President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

Then, on September 5, 2024, Pope Francis is scheduled to attend an interfaith meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, and continue with meetings with beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the Indonesian Bishops' Conference Office (KWI).