Islamonweb

Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church, arrived in Indonesia on September 4, 2024, as part of his two-week tour of the Asia-Pacific region. The visit underscores his commitment to fostering interfaith dialogue and religious harmony, particularly in Indonesia, a nation known for its religious diversity and home to the world's largest Muslim population. Pope Francis will remain in Indonesia until September 8, 2024, after which he will continue his tour, visiting other countries in the region, including Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.

Today, Pope Francis visited Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, where he was welcomed by the grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar. The Pope’s visit to the mosque symbolizes the importance of interfaith cooperation, especially in a country where religious freedom is enshrined in the constitution but has been challenged by instances of discrimination and violence against religious minorities.

The Pope and the grand imam visited the “Tunnel of Friendship,” an underpass connecting Istiqlal Mosque with Jakarta’s main Catholic cathedral, Our Lady of Assumption. Built in 2020, the tunnel serves as a symbol of Indonesia's commitment to religious tolerance and unity. As they approached the tunnel, Pope Francis described it as a potent symbol of how different religious traditions can help people navigate the "tunnels of life" together.

Following this symbolic visit, Pope Francis and Nasaruddin Umar participated in an interreligious gathering at the mosque, attended by representatives from Indonesia’s six officially recognized religions: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. The event highlighted the Pope's message of "harmony in diversity" and his call for Indonesia to continue combating religious intolerance.

During the gathering, Pope Francis and the grand imam signed a joint declaration pledging to fight religiously inspired violence and protect the environment. Nasaruddin Umar emphasized the significance of the Pope’s visit, calling it a reminder of Indonesia’s long-standing tradition of religious tolerance and a message of hope for religious minorities facing discrimination.

The Pope’s visit to Indonesia, which includes meetings with political leaders and clergy, is not only a diplomatic mission but also a spiritual journey aimed at reinforcing the country’s efforts to promote religious freedom and interfaith harmony. Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed Pope Francis, expressing gratitude for the shared commitment between Indonesia and the Vatican to peace and human welfare.

Pope Francis will continue his engagement with Indonesia’s diverse religious communities before departing for Papua New Guinea as part of his ongoing Asia-Pacific tour.