Portrait of Joko Widodo
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Joko Widodo on Pope Francis

Respectful associate (moderate)

TL;DR

Joko Widodo maintained a deeply respectful and diplomatic stance toward Pope Francis, exemplified by official welcoming and funeral delegations.

Key Points

  • The Indonesian president hailed Pope Francis's September 2024 visit as a "very historic visit" that had been planned years earlier.

  • As president, he welcomed the Pope for an interfaith gathering at the Istiqlal Mosque during the apostolic tour.

  • Former President Joko Widodo attended the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome in April 2025 as a special envoy representing the Indonesian government.

Summary

Joko Widodo, while serving as president, held a position of profound respect and diplomatic engagement toward Pope Francis, especially surrounding the latter's visit to Indonesia in September 2024. The Indonesian leader hailed the papal visit as a "historic visit," noting it had been planned for years prior to being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This engagement signaled a commitment from Indonesia, a majority-Muslim nation, to interfaith dialogue and fraternity, values the Pope also promoted during his time there, including an interfaith gathering at the Istiqlal Mosque.

Following the passing of the Pontiff, this respectful posture continued as the former president, Joko Widodo, was dispatched as a special envoy by the subsequent administration to attend the funeral mass in the Vatican. He was among world leaders, including presidents from the US and France, who gathered for the ceremony, carrying a personal letter of condolence from the sitting president. This demonstrated the ongoing high regard for the late Pope's legacy of peace and humility by the Indonesian state apparatus. [cite:1, cite:6, cite:9]

Frequently Asked Questions

When Pope Francis visited Indonesia in September 2024, Joko Widodo officially welcomed him and characterized the event as a "very historic visit." He highlighted shared commitments between Indonesia and the Vatican to promote peace and fraternity for humanity. This reception showed a positive, diplomatic engagement with the Catholic leader.

Yes, the former president, Joko Widodo, attended the funeral mass for Pope Francis in the Vatican in April 2025. He traveled as a special envoy representing the Indonesian government, carrying a message of condolence from the sitting president. He was positioned in the front row among international dignitaries.

After the Pontiff's passing, the delegation led by the former president conveyed a message that expressed the Indonesian people's loss. This message honored the Pope as a role model who left a legacy of love for world peace and humility. The state expressed a desire for these values to be continued.