UNPAR.AC.ID, Bandung – On Thursday (August 29, 2024), Universitas Katolik Parahyangan (UNPAR) in collaboration with Gramedia Publisher held a book review event titled “Getting to Know Pope Francis Better.” The event took place in the Lecture Theater on the 9th floor of the South Tower of the PPAG Building at UNPAR, Bandung, and was streamed live on the UNPAR Official YouTube channel. This activity featured two main speakers: Mangadar Situmorang, a lecturer in International Relations at UNPAR, and Father Bhanu Viktorahadi, a lecturer in Philosophy at UNPAR. Trisno Sakti Herwanto, a lecturer in Public Administration at UNPAR, served as the moderator. The event aimed to deepen understanding of Pope Francis through three discussed books: “Pope from the New World,” “The Praying Human,” and “Let’s Dream,” ahead of his visit to Indonesia in September.
Father Bhanu Viktorahadi opened the discussion by outlining the unique characteristics of Pope Francis.
“Pope Francis is the first pope from the Jesuit order and the first from Latin America,” said Father Bhanu, highlighting how Pope Francis brings a new perspective to the papacy, different from previous traditions.
He also emphasized that the choice of the name ‘Francis’ by the Pope himself is a significant symbol.
“This name has never been used by any pope before and does not carry a number like other popes. This shows that he wants to bring something truly new,” explained Father Bhanu.
Father Bhanu also elaborated on the three books that were the focus of the review: “Francis: Pope from the New World,” “Francis: Let’s Dream,” and “Francis: The Praying Human.” According to Father Bhanu, these books depict the spiritual journey and leadership of Pope Francis centered on love, hope, and faith.
“Pope Francis emphasizes love as a concrete step in service, not just an abstract idea. He invites the church not to lose patience and to revive personal encounters that can bridge bureaucratic distances within the church,” said Father Bhanu, underscoring Pope Francis’s more personal and intimate pastoral approach with the faithful.
Mangadar Situmorang provided an additional perspective from the international relations viewpoint. He explained that Pope Francis’s figure plays an important role not only in the religious context but also on a global scale.
“The presence of Pope Francis not only greets Catholics but also has a wide-ranging influence as a moral leader at the international level,” said Mangadar.
He also highlighted how Pope Francis, through his inclusive and solidarity-based approach, is able to unite various groups amid differences.
“Pope Francis invites us to get closer to reality, to connect with suffering, and to always find a way out and hope,” he said, relating the Pope’s messages to the current global situation.
Mangadar also stressed the importance of tangible actions in facing the challenges of the modern world, as exemplified by Pope Francis.
“The solidarity that Pope Francis speaks of is not just showing generosity, but a solidarity unified by our most fundamental hopes for freedom, recognition, and respect,” explained Mangadar.
According to him, Pope Francis is a figure who successfully demonstrates how the values of the church can be relevant and applied in addressing global issues such as poverty, injustice, and environmental degradation.
The event concluded with the distribution of book prizes to participants who actively asked questions. Attendees, including academics, students, and parishioners from various parishes, felt they gained new insights into Pope Francis and his contributions to building a more inclusive and compassionate church. There is great hope that Pope Francis’s upcoming visit to Indonesia will bring a spirit of renewal and brotherhood within society. (NAT-Humas UNPAR)
