Jokowi Praises Vatican’s Efforts in Promoting Peace in Palestine
Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: During a meeting at the State Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) expressed his deep appreciation to the Vatican for its ongoing advocacy for peace in Palestine and its steadfast support for the two-state solution. The President highlighted the tragic toll of conflicts, noting that over 40,000 people have lost their lives due to wars in various parts of the world, including Palestine.
President Jokowi emphasized the shared commitment of Indonesia and the Vatican to promoting peace and tolerance in an increasingly turbulent global landscape, with particular attention to conflicts in the Middle East. “Wars benefit no one; they only bring suffering and misery to ordinary people,” he stated.
Pope Francis is currently on an apostolic journey to the Asia-Pacific region, which runs from September 3-13, 2024. Indonesia is the first stop on his itinerary, which also includes visits to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. His visit to Indonesia, from September 3-6, 2024, marks the third papal visit to the country, following those of Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989.
On Wednesday afternoon, September 5, Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with bishops, priests, deacons, and others at Jakarta Cathedral. Later, he will engage with Scholas Occurrentes youths at the Youth Center of Graha Pemuda Senayan. On Thursday, September 6, he will participate in an interfaith dialogue at Istiqlal Mosque in the morning and greet beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the Office of the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference (KWI) in the afternoon. The day will conclude with a grand holy mass at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium at 5 p.m. local time, which is expected to draw tens of thousands of Catholics. Pope Francis will depart for Papua New Guinea on Friday, September 6.
