SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Ministerial officials of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet (KIM) and public figures from religious organizations and diplomats attended President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo's meeting with Pope Francis at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday.

Officials who attended the state procession at the Merdeka Palace Jakarta included Coordinating Minister for Human Empowerment and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi.

As quoted from Antara, Minister of Defense Prabowo Subianto, Minister of SOEs Erick Thohir, Minister of Communication and Information Budi Arie Setiadi, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung also attended the event.

Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Djiwandono also appeared before Pope Francis.

Public figures in attendance included Pope Francis Arrival Committee Chairman Ignasius Jonan, Istiqlal Mosque Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, and British Ambassador to Indonesia Dominic Jermey.

Also participating were National Police Chief Listyo Sigit Prabowo, PBNU Chairman Yahya Cholil Staquf, as well as Indonesian Employers Association (Apindo) Chairman Shinta Kamdani and Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Chairman Arsjad Rasjid.

Barito Pacific founder Prayogo Pangestu and former World Bank Managing Director Mari Elka Pangestu added to the list of figures who attended the meeting.

In addition, a number of DPR members such as Hendrawan Supratikno, Trimedya Pandjaitan, Dave Laksono, Charles Honoris, and Christina Aryani were also present to witness the meeting.

The agenda of the meeting between Pope Francis and President Jokowi titled “Faith, Fraternity, and State Defense” is an important momentum in diplomatic relations and interfaith dialogue, emphasizing Indonesia's commitment to strengthening international relations and interfaith harmony.

Pope Francis as the leader of the world's Catholics will make an apostolic journey to the Asia Pacific in September 2024. There are four countries that will be visited including Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore.

Indonesia is the first country to be visited on September 3 to 6, 2024 and the Pope's visit to Indonesia is the third time after Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II's visit in 1989.

Writer: Muhammad Hamdani