"We all Indonesians welcome the visit as part of the global solidarity movement," he told the press during a working visit to Serang, Banten, on Tuesday.
He noted that Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed El Tayeb, in Abu Dhabi signed the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together, which is also known as the Abu Dhabi Declaration.
The document, according to Amin, shows similarities between Islamic and Catholic teachings on building human dignity and interfaith cooperation.
In addition, he said, the two largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia--Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and Muhammadiyah--have been awarded for their contribution to efforts to promote peace and international solidarity at the grassroots level.
For that reason, the Vice President said Indonesia welcomed the arrival of Pope Francis, who is expected to promote the spirit of solidarity among nations across the world.
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"We welcome the visit as it will build brotherhood and friendship of all nations in the world, despite their religions and their nations, so we can stop the wars happening in some parts of the world. We thank you (Pope Francis) for your visit," he remarked.
Pope Francis landed at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Tangerang, Banten, at 11:25 a.m. local time on Tuesday before heading to Jakarta.
He is scheduled to meet President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday.
On Thursday, the leader of the Holy See will participate in an interfaith dialogue at Istiqlal Mosque, Jakarta, 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 at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium complex, which will be attended by thousands of Catholics.
He will leave for Papua New Guinea on Friday (September 6, 2024).
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Translator: Benardy Ferdiansyah, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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