REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas said that the Leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis, will visit Indonesia on September 3 2024.

Yaqut emphasized that the government had received a notification letter from the Vatican authorities regarding the planned arrival of Pope Francis. "Based on a letter from the Vatican received by the Indonesian Government, Pope Francis will attend on September 3 2024. This will certainly be an honor for Indonesia," said Yaqut in his statement in Jakarta, Sunday (Mar. 31, 2024).

According to Yaqut, President Joko Widodo had been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the highest leader of the Catholic community. "In June 2022, I delivered an invitation letter from President Jokowi to Pope Francis. Alhamdulillah, after almost two years of waiting, Pope Francis was finally able to come to Indonesia. I think this will be a special gift for Catholics in particular," he said.

Yaqut hopes that during his visit Pope Francis will be able to witness firsthand the diversity and brotherhood between religious believers that is growing in Indonesian society. Yaqut said that Indonesia was able to maintain tolerance and peace between religious adherents, including hundreds of members of local religions.

"We hope that Pope Francis can see this diversity in Indonesia," he said.

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