Minister Of Religion Yaqut: Earlier Pope Francis Said 'I Pray For You, You Pray For Me'

Pope Francis at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Thursday 5 September 2024. (doc. Indonesia Papal Visit Committee)

JAKARTA - Indonesian Minister of Religion (Menag) Yaqut Cholil Qoumas stated that the leadership of the World Catholic Church as well as the Head of State of the Vatican, Pope Francis, prayed that Indonesia could be better in the future.

"Yes, earlier he said I pray for you, you pray for me. I also conveyed greetings from President Joko Widodo and vice versa he also conveyed greetings to the president. He hoped that Indonesia would be better in the future than everything else," said the Minister of Religion in Tangerang, Friday, September 6, quoted by Antara.

He said that before leaving for Papua New Guinea, the Holy Father of Catholics conveyed a short message so that Indonesia in the future would be better than everything.

Minister of Religion Yaqut replied to the message from the leader of the Catholics in the hope that the Pope could be safe on his way and safe to his destination.

"Yes, maintaining peace he was happy, which is clear for the first time he said I'm happy," he said.

He assessed that Pope Francis' academic visit proved that religious diversity in Indonesia was closely and well established.

Meanwhile, the results of Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia contained three points of agreement with the Government of Indonesia through President Joko Wododo.

These three points are to strengthen religious diversity, prioritize dialogue in all differences or disputes, and keep the environment green.

"This limit is exactly the same as that conveyed by President Joko Widodo and Pope Francis during the Grand Mass at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK)," he said.

The leader of the World Catholic Church and the Vatican Head of State, Pope Francis, is undergoing an academic visit to Asia Pacific with four destination countries, namely Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore.

After closing his visit to Indonesia for three days, namely on September 3-6, the Pope continued his analytic tour of Papua New Guinea.