Officials, Catholic leaders in Indonesia send condolences for Pope Francis

JAKARTA: Indonesian officials and Catholic figures have offered condolences on the death of Pope Francis, who is remembered as a role model for peace and humanity not only for Catholicism, but also the world.

President Prabowo Subianto expressed his condolences on a recorded statement issued on Monday (April 21), saying that the world had “lost a role model deeply committed to peace, humanity and brotherhood”. “Your message of upholding humanity and peace will forever remain in our hearts,” he concluded the statement.

In a separate statement issued on Monday, Religious Affairs Minister Nasaruddin Umar expressed his sorrow, remembering Pope Francis as a close friend. Nasaruddin, who is also the grand imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, accompanied the pontiff during the latter’s visit to Jakarta in September of last year.

During a visit to South-East Asia’s largest mosque, the two figures signed the Istiqlal Declaration, a four-point document calling for joint action to address the world’s humanitarian and environmental crises

“His contributions and friendship will never be forgotten,” the religious affairs minister said. “We pray that His Holiness is granted a worthy place by God’s side, in accordance with the wisdom he has shown throughout his life.”

Jakarta Archbishop Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, who was appointed cardinal by Pope Francis in 2019, said he could not believe the news at first as the pontiff was still present at the Easter Sunday Mass. The pope made a surprise appearance on the balcony overlooking St. Peter’s Square on Sunday to bless the 35,000 people gathering to celebrate Easter at the Vatican.

Three days prior, on Thursday, he made a visit to the Regina Coeli jail in Rome. Sitting in a wheelchair, he spent half an hour meeting prisoners, a tradition he had observed both before and after being elected Pope in 2013.

“We all, not only Catholics, feel this loss,” Suharyo said. “The simplicity reflected in his way of life made him truly noble.”

Bishops Council of Indonesia (KWI) executive secretary Paulus Christian Siswantoko reflected the examples set by Francis. “He cared deeply for the environment and viewed nature as our home. He also strongly emphasised universal brotherhood,” he told The Jakarta Post on Monday.

The organisation has instructed Catholic churches across the country to hold a requiem Mass as part of memorial services for Pope Francis. The Jakarta Cathedral is scheduled to hold a requiem Mass on Thursday. – The Jakarta Post/ANN