RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesian Language (Bahasa Indonesia) has been officially adopted by the Vatican as a formal language for its global media platform, Vatican News, in a move that significantly strengthens the diplomatic and spiritual bridge between Indonesia and the Holy See.

The historic agreement was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Dicastery for Communication in Vatican City. The signing involved Mgr. Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo, Chairman of the Commission for Social Communications of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), and Paolo Ruffini, Prefect of the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication.

With this designation, Bahasa Indonesia becomes the 57th language used by Vatican News. The policy aims to expand the reach of the Catholic Church’s global communications to millions of believers in Indonesia and neighboring regions like Malaysia.

Mgr. Agustinus Tri Budi Utomo emphasized that this is more than an administrative deal, it is a celebration of enduring friendship.

“This is a celebration of eternal friendship as well as a recognition of Indonesia's national identity. The presence of Bahasa Indonesia on Vatican News will be an increasingly strong bridge of faith,” he said on Thursday, March 26, 2026, as quoted by Infopublik.id.

Paolo Ruffini highlighted the importance of inclusive communication, noting that speaking to people in their native language is the most effective way to serve the community. The inclusion of Bahasa Indonesia allows Indonesian Catholics to access official Church information, including the Pope's messages and encyclicals, in their own tongue.

The Indonesian Ambassador to the Holy See, Michael Trias Kuncahyono, described the moment as historic, noting that the process has been in motion since 2022. He remarked that this achievement opens broader doors for collaboration in communication, culture, and diplomacy.

“This is not just a symbolic achievement, but also the beginning of a great work that requires consistency,” the Ambassador added.

The journey toward this official recognition began in June 2022, following a proposal from the Association of Indonesian Catholic Journalists (PWKI). After four years of discussions and logistical preparations, the vision was finally realized in early 2026.

This development further solidifies Indonesia's position as a strategic global partner for the Vatican, recognizing its status as home to one of the largest and most vibrant Catholic communities in Southeast Asia. It also affirms the growing international strategic importance of Bahasa Indonesia on the world stage. ***