Indonesia And Vatican Share Commitment To Peace And Prosperity, Says President Jokowi

JAKARTA, Sept 3 (Bernama-ANTARA) -- Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasised that Indonesia and the Vatican are united to promote peace, brotherhood, and prosperity for all humanity. 

Jokowi made this statement in connection with the visit of the leader of the Vatican City, Pope Francis, to Indonesia on September 3-6, reported ANTARA news agency.

"Indonesia and the Vatican share the same commitment to fostering peace and brotherhood and ensuring prosperity for humanity," Jokowi stated at the Merdeka Palace here on Tuesday.

The president said he held a final meeting with Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, and Archbishop of Jakarta Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo at the Merdeka Palace.

In his statement, the president warmly welcomed Pope Francis.

This is the Pope's third visit to Indonesia after Pope Paul in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989.

"On behalf of Indonesians, I warmly welcome and express gratitude for the very noble visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia. Welcome to Indonesia," he remarked.

Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday at around 11:30 am local time.

The Catholic Church leader will meet President Jokowi on September 4 at the Merdeka Palace.

On Thursday (September 5), the Pope will attend an interfaith gathering at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta and meet with beneficiaries of the charitable organisation at the Federation of The Catholic Bishops of Indonesia (KWI).

The Pope will also lead a grand-scale mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium on the same day.

The Indonesian Military (TNI) and the National Police (Polri) have readied 9,030 joint personnel to secure the Pope's visit.

On Friday, September 6, the Pope will depart from Jakarta for Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea.

--BERNAMA-ANTARA