JAKARTA, Indonesia: Pope Francis, on the longest tour of his papacy, appealed for greater religious unity to combat extremism and intolerance during his visit to Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation.
The Pope’s message emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue in addressing global security concerns, highlighting the need for cooperation among different religions to foster peace and harmony.
During his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Pope Francis stressed the dangers posed by extremists who distort religion to further their agendas through deception and violence. He called for a renewed commitment to religious dialogue to counter these divisive forces. The Pope’s appeal for unity extends beyond specific conflicts, focusing instead on the broader issues of self-interest and intolerance that fuel violence worldwide.
President Widodo echoed the Pope’s call for tolerance and peace, noting that both Indonesia and the Vatican are committed to promoting these values in an increasingly turbulent world. Indonesia has a long history of struggling with Islamist militancy, most notably with the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people and led to a severe crackdown on extremism. Today, Indonesia, a country of over 270 million people, continues to work toward maintaining religious harmony among its six officially recognized religions, including Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.
Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia is the third by a pope, and the first since John Paul II in 1989. Despite his fragile health, the 87-year-old pontiff appears determined to use this trip to reinforce the message of unity. Accompanied by his medical team, the Pope arrived in Jakarta and was warmly welcomed by crowds, including hundreds of children dressed in traditional attire.
The Pope’s agenda in Indonesia centers on interfaith relations. He plans to host a significant meeting with representatives from all six recognized religions at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and a symbol of religious coexistence. There, he will sign a joint declaration with the mosque’s grand imam, focusing on the dehumanizing effects of conflict and environmental degradation.
The Pope is also set to energize the local Catholic community by celebrating a mass at the national football stadium, which can accommodate up to 80,000 people. This event symbolizes the strength and unity of Indonesia’s Catholic minority, who make up less than three percent of the population. To show respect for the mass, the religious affairs ministry has requested TV stations not to air the usual Muslim dusk prayer videos during this time.
Concluding his day, Pope Francis will address young people who are part of a global network of schools he established in 2013 to support disadvantaged children. This initiative underscores his broader mission to promote peace, unity, and hope among future generations.
The Pope’s visit to Indonesia, a significant diplomatic and spiritual journey, reinforces the critical need for religious cooperation in a world marked by conflict and division. His message of unity, peace, and tolerance resonates strongly in a region striving to maintain harmony amid diversity.
