Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s fifth president, Megawati Soekarnoputri, held discussions on global warming with Pope Francis at his residence in the Vatican on Friday.
According to a statement from her office, Megawati said the Pope invited her to speak at the World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights in Italy.
"I received a personal invitation from the Pope. We also discussed several national issues," she said.
Megawati stated that Pope Francis expressed interest in Pancasila and its principle of mutual cooperation.
"In my speech at the summit, I explained that Pancasila is integral to human life and holds international significance as well," Megawati remarked.
She elaborated that Pancasila's five principles are not exclusive to Indonesians but are universally connected to life, particularly in relation to God and humanity.
Megawati conveyed that the Pope agreed with her emphasis on humanity, especially given the alarming global changes, including ongoing wars.
She also noted the Pope's concern about global warming, which she believes is often met with human indifference.
"When I met the Pope at the 2024 Zayed Award, we spoke, and he asked if I had any suggestions," she stated.
At that time, she expressed her concerns about widespread negligence regarding global warming.
"I asked him why people remain indifferent to this issue. He agreed and gave me a thumbs-up," she recalled.
Megawati added that, according to the Pope, there is a research center in the Vatican dedicated to studying the North and South Poles.
"He is deeply concerned about the melting ice at both poles. The ice is not only melting but also breaking into pieces," she said.
Pope Francis visited Indonesia from September 3 to 6, 2024, as part of his apostolic journey.
In Jakarta, he led a grand mass for approximately 87,000 Catholics and met with Indonesia’s seventh president, Joko Widodo, the Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, and several other figures and organizations.
