JAKARTA, March 31 — The head of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Francis will visit Indonesia on September 3, said its Indonesian Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas.
He said the government had received a letter from the Vatican regarding the matter.
Yaqut said this is an honour for the Indonesian people, and President Joko Widodo, better known as Jokowi, is looking forward to the Pope’s arrival.
“In June 2022, I delivered an invitation from President Jokowi to Pope Francis. Alhamdulillah, after almost two years of waiting, Pope Francis will finally come to Indonesia. I think this is a special gift for the Catholic community in particular,” he said in a statement today.
The minister hopes Pope Francis will be able to see for himself the diversity and brotherhood among religious followers in Indonesian society.
“Indonesia is able to maintain tolerance and security among adherents, including hundreds of local religious adherents,” Yaqut added.
— Bernama
