Jakarta (ANTARA) -
President Prabowo Subianto expressed his deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, on Monday.
"With deep sorrow, I received the news about Pope Francis' passing," he wrote in a post on his official Instagram account @Prabowo on Monday evening.
The world has lost an exemplary figure who had "a great commitment towards peace, humanity, and brotherhood," he added.
Prabowo recalled the Pope's visit to Jakarta in September 2024, saying it left a deep impression not only on Indonesian Catholics but also on the Indonesian people in general.
The late Pope's message on humility, pluralism, and his care for the poor will always serve as an example for humanity, he stressed.
"Farewell, Pope Francis. Your message to defend Bhinneka Tunggal Ika will always remain in our hearts," Prabowo said, referring to Indonesia's national motto, which means "Unity in Diversity."
The President's statement was accompanied by two pictures depicting his encounter with Pope Francis at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta.
The Pope visited Indonesia from September 3–6, 2024. During his visit, he attended an inter-religious meeting at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque and signed the Istiqlal Joint Declaration 2024: Solidifying Interfaith Concord for Humanity.
During their meeting, the then-Grand Imam of Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, kissed the Pope's head, who responded by kissing Umar's hand -- a moment captured in photos that generated widespread discussion.
Pope Francis also presided over a Grand Mass for over 80 thousand Catholics at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on September 5, 2024.
After battling illness in recent months, the leader of the Catholic Church breathed his last at 7:35 a.m. Vatican time on Monday. He was 88.
"His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of His Church. He taught us to live the values of the Gospel with fidelity, courage, and universal love, especially in favor of the poorest and most marginalized," Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, said while announcing the Pope's passing, Vatican News reported.
