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Pope Francis’ meeting with the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps
Istana Negara Presidential Palace Hall (Jakarta, Indonesia) – Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Pope Francis says: “‘Continue on your path, which is so beautiful and just”
I cordially thank you for the gracious invitation to visit your country and for your kind words of welcome.
I extend to the President-elect my warmest good wishes for a fruitful period of service to Indonesia, a vast archipelago of thousands and thousands of islands surrounded by the sea that connects Asia to Oceania.
We could almost say that, just as the ocean is the natural element uniting all Indonesian islands, the mutual respect for the specific cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious characteristics of all the groups present in Indonesia is the indispensable and unifying fabric that makes Indonesians a united and proud people.
Your national motto Bhinneka tunggal ika (United in Diversity, literally Many but One) captures well this multifaceted reality of diverse peoples firmly united in one nation.
It also shows that, just as the great biodiversity present in this archipelago is a source of richness and splendor, your specific differences similarly contribute to forming a magnificent mosaic, in which each tile is an irreplaceable element in creating a great original and precious work.
This is your treasure, your greatest riches.
A harmony in diversity is achieved when particular perspectives take into account the needs common to all and when each ethnic group and religious denomination acts in a spirit of fraternity, pursuing the noble goal of serving the good of all.
The awareness of participating in a shared history, in which solidarity is essential and contributions are made by all, helps to identify the right solutions, to avoid the exasperation of contrasts and to transform opposition into effective cooperation.
This wise and delicate balance, between the multiplicity of cultures and different ideological visions, and the ideals that cement unity, must be continuously defended against imbalances.
It is a work of craftsmanship, I repeat, a work of craftsmanship entrusted to everyone, but in a special way to those in political life, who should strive toward harmony, equity, respect for the fundamental rights of human beings, sustainable development, solidarity and the pursuit of peace, both within society and with other peoples and nations.
From this comes the greatness of politics.
A wise man once said that politics is the highest form of charity. This is beautiful.
In order to foster a peaceful and fruitful harmony that ensures peace and unites efforts to remove the imbalances and suffering that still persist in some areas, the Church desires to increase interreligious dialogue. In this way, prejudices can be broken down and a climate of mutual respect and trust can develop.
This is indispensable for meeting common challenges, including that of countering extremism and intolerance, which through the distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using deception and violence.
Closeness, on the other hand, listening to the opinion of others, creates a fraternal nation.
This is something very, very beautiful.
The Catholic Church is at the service of the common good and wishes to strengthen cooperation with public institutions and other actors in civil society, but she never proselytises, and always the respects the faith of every person.
The Church wishes to encourage the formation of a more balanced social fabric and ensure a more efficient and equitable distribution of social assistance.
In this regard, I would like to refer to the Preamble of your 1945 Constitution, which offers valuable insights into the path chosen by a democratic and independent Indonesia.
This is a very beautiful history. Reading it, we can see that it was everyone’s choice.
Twice within a few lines, the Preamble refers to Almighty God and the need for his blessing to descend upon the nascent state of Indonesia.
Similarly, the opening lines of your fundamental constitutional law refer to social justice twice: as the desired foundation for international order and as one of the main objectives to be achieved for the benefit of the entire Indonesian people.
Unity in multiplicity, social justice and divine blessing are thus the fundamental principles intended to inspire and guide the social order.
They can be likened to a support structure, the solid base on which to build the house.
How can we fail to notice that these principles fit very well with the motto of my visit to Indonesia: Faith, Fraternity, Compassion?
Unfortunately, however, we see in today’s world certain tendencies that hinder the development of universal fraternity.
In various regions we see the emergence of violent conflicts, which are often the result of a lack of mutual respect, of the intolerant desire to let one’s own interests, one’s own position, or one’s own partial historical narrative prevail at all costs, even when this leads to endless suffering for entire communities and results in wars and much bloodshed.
Sometimes violent tensions arise within countries because those in power want to make everything uniform, imposing their vision even in matters that should be left to the autonomy of individuals or groups.
On the other hand, there are many situations where despite convincing political statements, there is a lack of effective and far-sighted commitment to building social justice.
As a result, a significant part of humanity is left on the margins, without the means for a dignified existence and to cope with serious and growing social imbalances that trigger acute conflicts.
what is the solution?
With a law of death, (that is limiting births), it is limiting the greatest wealth a country has, which is births.
In your country, on the other hand, there are families of three, four, five children.
And this can be seen in the age level of this country. Keep it up. It is an example for all countries.
Maybe this is funny; maybe some families prefer to have a cat, a small dog, and not a child.
This is not right.
In other contexts, people believe they can or should disregard the need to seek God’s blessing, judging it to be superfluous for human beings and civil society.
They promote instead their own efforts, but this often leads them to encounter frustration and failure.
Yet, there are times when faith in God is continually placed in the forefront but is sadly manipulated to foment divisions and hatred instead of furthering peace, communion, dialogue, respect, cooperation and fraternity for building up the nation.
Brothers and sisters,in the face of the above challenges, it is encouraging that the philosophy guiding the organization of the Indonesian State is both balanced and wise.
In this regard, I make my own the words of Saint John Paul II during his visit to this very palace in 1989. when he said among other things: “By recognizing the existence of legitimate diversity, by respecting the human and political rights of all citizens, and by fostering the growth of national unity based on tolerance and respect for others, you lay the foundations for that just and peaceful society which all Indonesians desire for themselves and which they wish to bequeath to their children” (Address to the President of the Republic of Indonesian and the Authorities, Jakarta, 9 October 1989).
Although the above principles have not always been implemented in the past, they remain valid and reliable, like a beacon illuminating the path to be taken and warning of the most dangerous mistakes to be avoided.
Mr President, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is my hope that each of you will be able to draw inspiration from these principles and implement them in your daily lives and apply them in the performance of your respective duties, for opus justitiae pax, that is peace is the work of justice.
Harmony is achieved when we commit ourselves not only to our own interests and visions, but to the good of all, building bridges, promoting agreements and synergies, joining forces to overcome all forms of moral, economic and social distress, and promoting peace and concord.
Dear brothers and sisters, continue on your path, which is so beautiful and just.
And now I invoke a blessing on all of the people:May God bless Indonesia with peace, for a future full of hope. God bless you all!
