REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, YOGYAKARTA -- The Ansor Youth Movement (GP Ansor) presented a special award in the form of a plaque honoring the dignity of humanity to Pope Francis during the Inauguration of Special Ansor at Nahdlatul Ulama University (UNU), Yogyakarta, on Saturday (26/04/2025).
The plaque was handed directly by the Chairman of GP Ansor, H Addin Jauharudin, to Rm Fadjar Tedjo Soekarno, peace and humanitarian activist from the Diocese of Malang.
The award was given as a form of GP Ansor's award to Pope Francis, who is remembered not only as a leader of the Catholic religion, but also as a symbol of world peace.
In his speech, Addin Jauharudin said: “This is a small form of Ansor's love for Father Pope Francis. He is not just about religious leadership, but a symbol of world peace.
“The plaque reads “Homage of the Dignity of Humanity For Pope Francis” in Indonesian, followed by its translation in Italian: Il rispetto della dignita umana per Papa Francesco.
The award is part of a series of Special Ansor Inauguration events, which also includes apple care for food security, tree planting, inauguration of GP Ansor DIY Region Manager, as well as signing cooperation with various partners.
According to AM Putut Prabantoro, founder and advisor of Paguyuban Catholic Journalists of Indonesia (PWKI), the award is also a form of tribute to the friendship between H. Addin Jauharudin and Rm Fadjar, which was forged through their visit to the Vatican for an audience with Pope Francis on August 21, 2024.
During the meeting, Pope Francis gave a special message for GP Ansor to continue to be a locomotive of peace.
Addin also recalled Pope Francis' initiative in pushing for ceasefires in conflict areas, including Palestine, as well as the historic moment when the Pope visited Indonesia and passed through the “tunnel of love” connecting Jakarta Cathedral Church and Istiqlal Mosque as a symbol of interfaith brotherhood.
Meanwhile, Rm Fadjar Tedjo Soekarno, who received the gift on behalf of the late Pope Francis, was moved.
“Actually today is the funeral mass of Pope Francis. But for the sake of humanity, I came here. And beyond belief, there is an award for him. It's very heartwarming,” he said.
He also reiterated the importance of the humanitarian value that GP Ansor carries and how this respect reinforces the commitment to nurturing the values of interfaith peace.
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On the occasion, Addin hopes to bring this tribute plaque directly to the Vatican as a symbol of the tribute from GP Ansor to Pope Francis.
“His thoughts and struggles cannot stop even when he dies. It must be continued by the children of cross-faith nations to continue to be a bridge of peace,” Addin added.
The event is also tinged with various other activities, including the inauguration of the GP Region Administrator Ansor DIY Period 2024-2028 and the awarding of Ansor Lifetime Achievement.
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