Address of Apostolic Nuncio at the Feast of the Holy Father (Pope’s Day) 2018

Address of His Excellency Archbishop Piero Pioppo

on the Celebration of Fifth Anniversary of Pope Francis’ Pontificate

Apostolic Nunciature, 15 November 2018

Your Eminence,

Honorable Ignasius Jonan, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources,

Dear Brothers Archbishops and Bishops of Indonesia,

Mr. Governor of Jakarta, Anies Baswedan

Excellencies Ambassadors and Civil Authorities,

Dear priests and consecrated persons,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Dear all, brothers and sisters in the Lord,

The house of Holy Father in Jakarta welcomes all of you with great honour and profound joy, to celebrate this evening, with a moment of fraternity, the Feast of Our Beloved Holy Father, Pope Francis, on the Fifth Anniversary of His Pontificate.

I am sure that, from Rome, he rejoices greatly, since he sees gathered, yesterday in the Cathedral and today in his house so many people who appreciate him, recognize his moral height, follow him and pray earnestly for him.

From my part, therefore, I must say a great “thank you” to everyone and each of you, not only for your presence, but above all, for your commitment and generous help for the good of Catholic Church and for the honour of our Indonesia, so unique, great and beautiful in its various people, religions, and noble cultures.

In the same way, we all gather here to say our “thank you” to the Holy Father and to the Catholic Church for its very long presence in our land. A special, discreet, cooperative and effectife presence, like a “fermentum”, a yeast that contributes greatly for the good of our national society.

As it is in the sober style of the Holy See, tonight I wish to pay homage to the Holy Father’s solicitude for the Indonesian people, unfortunately still recently affected by grave catastrophes, but always showing a great capacity of resilience. At the same time, I also wish to raise a prayer of thanksgiving for all the generous effort that, in the Church and with the Church, all Indonesians have pour out to establish and strengthen also here, the “Civilization of Love” that all the Popes have always taught and helped to build for the good of humanity.

Mr. Minister, please convey our respectful greetings to the President of the Republic, Joko Widodo, who recently just received all Bishops and Archbishops in Bogor Palace. Please assure him that the Holy See and all of us gather here, will always work so that peace, brotherhood and harmony live forever in our beloved nation and throughout the whole world.