"I truly admire his modesty. The Pope is showing the best example of how to act as a leader. It should be noted that apart from serving as a religious leader, he also acts as a head of state," he remarked in Tangerang, Banten, on Tuesday.
The minister made the statement after welcoming Pope Francis at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. A humble civil car picked up the leader of the Holy See for a trip to Jakarta.
"He displays his modesty by choosing a very humble car. This is worth emulating," he stated.
Qoumas further praised Pope Francis, saying that the Vatican leader is a figure notable for his relentless efforts to spread messages of interfaith peace. The minister affirmed that such messages are key to bringing peace to the world.
"I believe he will bring up such messages during an upcoming meeting with President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)," he remarked.
The minister then revealed that Pope Francis is also set to pay a visit to Istiqlal Mosque. He expressed belief that the visit to Southeast Asia's grandest mosque would be a crucial step to maintaining harmony among religious communities in Indonesia.
Pope Francis landed at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 11:25 a.m. local time and is scheduled to undertake an apostolic journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore until September 13.
According to the plan, the Pope will stay in Indonesia until September 6. Tomorrow, President Jokowi will receive the Pope at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.
On the following day, the Catholic Church leader will participate in an interfaith dialogue at Istiqlal Mosque before greeting beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the Office of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI).
On the same day, he will preside over a grand holy mass that will be attended by thousands of Catholics at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium complex. He will then depart from Indonesia for Papua New Guinea on September 6.
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Translator: Azmi S, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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