Interpreting the Pope's Visit to Indonesia
Apart from blessings and moral messages, what is the meaning of Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia this time?
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Minister of State Secretary Pratikno on April 3 2024 said that Pope Francis (87) would make a state visit to Indonesia on September 3 2024. This visit had been planned since 2020, but was hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic. 19.
Previously, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas stated the same thing by adding that this visit is an honor for Indonesia. On April 12, 2024, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the plan for Pope Francis' visit on September 3-6, 2024.
For Indonesian Catholics, the arrival of Pope Francis is a long-awaited event, given that the last visit of the Holy Father to Indonesia was in 1989 when the Roman Catholic Church was led by Pope John Paul II. Prior to that, Pope Paul VI visited Indonesia in 1970.
Apart from blessings and moral messages, our common question is, what is the meaning of Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia this time?
The bestowment of blessings and moral messages from the Pope is one of the reasons why Pope Francis is highly praised for his presence on earth in Indonesia. Aside from blessings and moral messages, it raises a question for us all, what is the meaning of Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia this time?
World peace
Before talking about the importance of world peace from the perspective of Pope Francis, it is necessary to understand two basic understandings of the terminology "The Holy See" and "The Vatican City State) ”. When referring to the leadership of Pope Francis, generally the public and media only mention the Pope from the Vatican.
The Holy See is the episcopal jurisdiction of the Pope, the highest bishopric in the Catholic Church and the center of government of the Catholic Church. The Holy See, which acts and speaks on behalf of the entire Catholic Church and as a subject of international law, is a sovereign entity.
Pope Francis arrived at the Rebibbia women's prison in Rome to perform a foot-washing ceremony for the inmates during a private visit as part of Holy Thursday celebrations in the Easter series.
During his planned state visit to Indonesia, Pope Francis will be in more of a capacity as head of state of the Holy See. However, the Vatican called the Pope's visit "the Apostolic Journey of the Holy Father to Indonesia". Here, the Pope's visit is interpreted as the Pope's presence among his people. Two dimensions of visits are interrelated.
The "State of Vatican City," established through the Lateran Treaty in 1929, is an enclave surrounded by walls within the city of Rome in Italy. The "State of Vatican City" is the smallest internationally recognized independent state in the world. Here, the Pope is appointed as the highest leader of the Catholic Church worldwide.
Politically, as a sovereign state, the Holy See currently has diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries, including Indonesia. Although the Holy See officially declares not to engage in practical politics, this country has a great concern for the importance of world peace.
Concern for world peace is a call to provide active moral assistance to world society.
Based on the Lateran Treaty, which was later confirmed by the Second Vatican Council, attention to world peace is a call to provide active moral assistance to world society by strengthening the unity and brotherhood of humanity. This is in line with the encyclical "Fratelli Tutti" (we are all brothers). Based on these values and mission, the Holy See runs the daily wheels of government.
Pope Francis believes that world peace is always possible. The Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Palestine crisis in Gaza, and the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict are of great concern to the Pope. In an interview with a radio station in Switzerland, the Pope suggested that the Ukrainian government be willing to negotiate with Russia. Indeed, in the constellation of military power, it must be acknowledged that Ukraine is far below Russia.
Regarding the crisis in Gaza due to the Israel-Palestine war, Pope Francis has called for the humanitarian disaster in Gaza to be prevented and stopped. He urges all conflicting parties to lay down their arms due to the concern of the continuously increasing number of casualties.
The Pope believes that war is not a solution, it will even cause hatred, death and destruction. War is a crime against humanity.
In seeking a solution for the crisis in Gaza, just like Indonesia, the Pope also believes that a two-state solution is necessary to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine. However, it is difficult as many countries still refuse to recognize Palestine as an independent and sovereign nation.
The Pope also argued that the two-state solution format was necessary to achieve peace between Israel and Palestine.
If related to Indonesia's position, the Pope's view on peace is in line with Indonesia's constitution which "…aims to take part in implementing world order based on independence, eternal peace, and social justice."
Regarding the Iran attack on Israel on April 13, 2024, Pope Francis urged the need to end all actions that trigger violence that could drag the Middle East into a greater conflict. He delivered this message in front of Catholic congregants at Saint Peter's Square, Vatican, on Sunday, April 14, 2024.
Apart from world peace, the Pope's great attention is currently focused on the importance of harmony between religious communities.
This is reflected in the Declaration of Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, also known as the Abu Dhabi Declaration, which was signed by Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmad el-Tayeb, the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, on February 4, 2019. The meaning of this declaration is very relevant to the interests of Indonesia as a diverse nation in terms of religious beliefs.
The issue of air pollution is not new. The community's condition that is threatened by air pollution has long been occurring. There is also no shortage of research evidence indicating the threats of air pollution's impacts. However, in reality, this has not been able to push for significant efforts in controlling air pollution. As a result, residents are increasingly suffering from living in the midst of air pollution. The Pope, as the leader of the Catholic Church, has a significant influence on Catholics worldwide, both in spiritual and worldly matters, as well as their combination. Why is that? In the Catholic Church structure, the hierarchical structure of the church around the world from the level of the bishopric to the community level is under the coordination of the Pope. Here, the Pope has a spiritual influence on over 1.2 billion Catholics worldwide.
Also read: Pope Visits Jakarta on September 3-6
Pope Francis is on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica while giving the Christmas blessing, Urbi et Orbi, at the Vatican, Monday (25/12/2023).
Regarding Indonesia as a nation-state, the Holy See was one of the first European countries to recognize Indonesia's independence. The opening of his diplomatic mission in Jakarta in 1947 at the level of "apostolic delegate". Diplomatic relations were officially opened in 1950.
For the specific visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia, the strengthening of harmony amongst religious communities is a very important matter. The diversity of religion in Indonesia must be assumed as a necessity as well as a blessing from God Almighty that needs to be continuously maintained and developed together.
Therefore, in addition to the meeting of the two heads of state, a meeting between Pope Francis and the Chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council or the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque and religious leaders in Indonesia is highly necessary.
He criticized consumerism and uncontrolled development.
Environment
Pope Francis' view on the environment can be referred to in the Laudato Si' Encyclical, in which he criticizes consumerism and uncontrolled development. Laudato Si' is the first apostolic encyclical that discusses mother earth as a shared home.
Pope Francis reminded us, "Our common home is like a sister with whom we share our life and a beautiful mother who opens her arms to embrace us." Through ecological conversion as stated in the encyclical, Pope Francis invites all humanity to care for the common earth: overcoming air pollution and climate change.
Therefore, the visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia needs to be interpreted as a moral call for Indonesia to increase efforts in taking care of the environment. In its implementation, all components of the nation need to make maximum efforts, among others, by managing the environment, controlling pollution, protecting natural resource conservation, and controlling environmental damage.
So far, various activities to care for the earth have also been carried out by Indonesian Catholics as an implementation of the encyclical. The activities include household hazardous waste management, making various natural-based products such as herbal medicines, and planting mangrove trees in several locations.
*A Agus Sriyono,Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See 2016-2020
