Prabowo and Religious Leaders Welcome Election of Pope Leo XIV Amid Global Hopes for Peace
Main Takeaways
|
JAKARTA, investortrust.id – President Prabowo Subianto, through the State Secretary, has extended congratulations on behalf of the Indonesian government to Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, a dual citizen of the United States and Peru, who has been elected as the new global leader of the Catholic Church. Now officially known as Pope Leo XIV, Prevost was chosen through the Vatican conclave that concluded on Thursday, May 8, 2025, marking a historic moment with the selection of the first American-born pontiff.
The congratulatory message was conveyed by Minister of State Secretary Prasetyo Hadi at the Presidential Palace complex in Jakarta on Friday, May 9. He emphasized the alignment of the new Pope’s inaugural message with Indonesia’s foundational values. “We congratulate Pope Leo XIV on his election to succeed the late Pope Francis,” said Prasetyo. “His message of peace and social justice resonates deeply with our own values, particularly with the second principle of Pancasila, which emphasizes a just and civilized humanity.”
Pope Leo XIV assumed his new role following the passing of Pope Francis on Monday, April 21, 2025. In his first address, he called for global unity, harmony, and a renewed commitment to caring for the marginalized—an appeal that has struck a chord with many world leaders.
Minister of Religious Affairs Hails Pope’s Message
Indonesian Minister of Religious Affairs Nasaruddin Umar also expressed admiration for Pope Leo XIV’s message. “We greatly appreciate the peaceful tone set by the new Pope in his first speech. It is a universal message that we must collectively pursue to create a more peaceful world,” Nasaruddin stated.
Nasaruddin further welcomed the Pope’s intention to continue the legacy of his predecessor, Pope Francis. Among the most significant of that legacy was the Declaration of Istiqlal, a document signed during Pope Francis’ historic visit to Indonesia in September 2024. It emphasized interfaith cooperation on humanitarian and environmental issues and was co-signed by Nasaruddin himself.
“Pope Francis left an enduring impact, from the 2019 Human Fraternity Document with Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to our Declaration of Istiqlal. We hope Pope Leo XIV will uphold and expand on these efforts,” he said.
A Swift and Historic Conclave
The 2025 conclave, attended by 133 cardinals from 70 countries, was one of the most globally representative in Vatican history. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Cardinal Prevost, emerged as the consensus leader on the second day of voting, securing at least two-thirds of the votes from cardinals under the age of 80. The proclamation—“Habemus Papam!”—was made just moments after the white smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
Prevost, who was born on September 14, 1955, in Chicago, is a member of the Order of Saint Augustine and the first of his order to become pope since the 15th century. A mathematician by academic background and a theologian by vocation, he served in various capacities including as missionary in Peru, Prior General of his order, Bishop of Chiclayo, and most recently as Prefect of the Dicastery for Bishops.
Legacy and Symbolism of the Name ‘Leo XIV’
In choosing the papal name Leo XIV, Prevost pays tribute to two historical leaders of the Church: Saint Leo the Great, known for theological clarity and defense of Church authority in the 5th century, and Pope Leo XIII, who championed workers’ rights and laid the foundation for modern Catholic social teaching through his encyclical Rerum Novarum.
Observers believe the name signals his intent to pursue bold reform within the Church and to continue championing issues of justice, dignity, and the needs of the poor.
America’s Fourth-Largest Catholic Population
The election of Pope Leo XIV also highlights the growing prominence of Catholicism in the United States, which hosts the world’s fourth-largest Catholic population. The country has produced two Catholic presidents—John F. Kennedy and Joe Biden—and several high-profile Catholic leaders, including First Lady Jill Biden and Melania Trump.
The newly elected Pope joins a lineage of American Catholic milestones. Most recently, Robert F Kennedy Jr, nephew of JFK, was appointed by President Donald Trump as Secretary of Health and Human Services in February 2025, continuing the Kennedy family’s legacy in both politics and faith.