He added that the Pope chose Indonesia as the first country in his Apostolic journey because of these special qualities.
"It lies in the Bhinneka Tunggal Ika (unity in diversity) and Pancasila. Also in the (Preamble) Opening of the 1945 Constitution," he expounded on Wednesday.
Cardinal Suharyo said that the Pope considers the ideals of Indonesian independence laid down in the Preamble to be similar to his teachings.
Regarding Pope Francis' visit to the Merdeka Palace and his meeting with President Joko Widodo, Cardinal Suharyo said that the Palace welcomed Pope Francis with a grand ceremony.
"I felt moved, I have never seen a state ceremony like that and how Pope Francis is loved by everyone," he remarked.
Cardinal Suharyo further said that the Pope appreciates the philosophy of life of the Indonesian nation, namely Bhinneka Tunggal Ika.
According to him, the Pope specifically highlighted the three principles of Pancasila, namely, the first principle, the belief in one and only God; the third principle, the unity of Indonesia; and the fifth principle, social justice for all Indonesian people.
Pope Francis said that belief in the One Almighty God would foster unity in Indonesia. When the country unites, social justice will be felt by its people.
"When our nation can truly unite, the result will be social justice for all Indonesian people," Cardinal Suharyo said.
Pope Francis is visiting Indonesia from September 3–6, 2024. On Wednesday, he met with President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta as well as clergy at the Jakarta Cathedral.
On Thursday, he is scheduled to visit the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta and lead a grand holy mass at the Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium in Jakarta.
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Translator: Cindy Frishanti O, Resinta Sulistiyandari
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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