Meeting with Pope Francis, Megawati Sends Greetings from Indonesia

VATICAN, KOMPAS - The 5th President of Indonesia, Megawati Soekarnoputri, met with Pope Francis again during her visit to Rome, Italy, and the Vatican. The Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle conveyed greetings from the Indonesian nation. She also reintroduced Pancasila in hopes that it could be accepted as a guiding principle for all humanity worldwide.

Megawati arrived at Pope Francis' residence in Domus Sancta Marthae or Santa Marta Residence, Vatican, on Friday (7/2/2025), at 3:00 PM local time. Megawati was accompanied by her son Mohamad Rizki Pratama and her daughter Puan Maharani, as well as the Head of the PDI-P Foreign Affairs Division Ahmad Basarah, and the General Treasurer of PDI-P Olly Dondokambey.

For 15 minutes, Megawati met privately with Pope Francis. This is the second meeting between Megawati and Pope Francis in the past week. Previously, they met while both attending the World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights on Monday (3/2/2025).

After the meeting, Megawati revealed that the issue of nationality and Pancasila was the main topic of discussion in two meetings with Pope Francis. "He is very interested in Pancasila, mutual cooperation, as I said at the summit," she said.

During her speech at the World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights, Megawati explained that Pancasila, which is the foundation of the Indonesian state, can actually be applied universally. The values of Pancasila can be used to solve various problems in human life.

Pancasila, said Megawati, does not only belong to the Indonesian nation because it can serve as a guide for life for the people of the world. "Actually, the five principles are about life issues, especially Belief in the One and Only God, and humanitarianism," she said.

According to Megawati, the Pope strongly agrees with the second principle of Pancasila, just and civilized humanity. Because, to the Pope, Megawati also conveyed that there are currently significant changes in the world related to humanity, and this is concerning.

"There should be no more war, but instead there is war," he said.

Another issue that concerns the Pope, according to Megawati, is global warming. "When I was a judge for the Zayed Awards for Human Fraternity in 2023, I once said to the Holy Father, why are humans not too concerned about global warming? He immediately raised both thumbs up and said, 'I totally agree,'" said the daughter of the first President of the Republic of Indonesia, Soekarno.

Pancasila, said Megawati, does not only belong to the Indonesian people because it can be a guideline for life for world citizens.

According to Basarah, during the meeting, Megawati presented a painting of the Virgin Mary wearing a kebaya. Additionally, Puan gave a souvenir in the form of batik.

Basarah added that Megawati also conveyed greetings from the Indonesian nation, especially the Catholic community. "Mrs. Megawati also conveyed greetings from the Indonesian nation, especially the Catholic community in Indonesia who greatly admire the Pope. They very much wish to meet the Pope in person," he said.

The Pope expressed his gratitude for the hospitality of the Indonesian people, saying that the Indonesian people are "beautiful people".

According to Basarah, citing the statement of Fr Marcin Schmidt who accompanied Pope Francis, for the first time the leader of the Catholic church worldwide was willing to receive his foreign guests at his private residence. "Although in poor health, the Pope still took the time to meet with Ibu Megawati Soekarnoputri because of his respect for the 5th President of the Republic of Indonesia who is also the daughter of the Proclaimer of the Indonesian Nation, Bung Karno," he said.

Megawati has been in Rome, Italy since January 31 to carry out a number of agendas. In addition to meeting with Pope Francis, Megawati also attended the World Leaders Summit on Children's Rights and visited the headquarters of Scholas Occurrentes, a global education movement initiated by Pope Francis.