Pope Francis arrives in Indonesia to promote religious tolerance and address environmental concerns during his 11-day trip, which includes stops in Jakarta, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
Bollywood Fever: Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, marking the start of the longest trip of his pontificate, aimed at encouraging the local Catholic community and celebrating the tradition of interfaith harmony in a country known for having the world’s largest Muslim population.
The 87-year-old pope began his visit with a day of rest in Jakarta, following the overnight flight from Rome. His 11-day journey, which spans multiple time zones, will also take him to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
Despite the rest day, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis would meet with a group of refugees, migrants, and sick people at the Vatican residence in Jakarta.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo welcomed Pope Francis, emphasizing their shared commitment to fostering peace and brotherhood. “Indonesia and the Vatican have the same commitment to fostering peace and brotherhood, as well as ensuring the welfare of humanity,” Widodo said in a broadcast statement.
A key highlight of the pope’s visit to Indonesia will be his participation in an interfaith meeting at Jakarta’s iconic Istiqlal mosque on Thursday. This mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, is located directly across from the capital’s main Catholic cathedral, Our Lady of Assumption.
The proximity of these two religious landmarks symbolizes Indonesia’s constitutional commitment to religious freedom and tolerance.
The buildings are also connected by an underground “Tunnel of Friendship,” which Pope Francis will visit alongside the grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar, before they sign a joint declaration.
While Pope Francis is set to underscore Indonesia’s tradition of religious tolerance, it is worth noting that this image has been marred by instances of intolerance.
In 2021, a militant Islamic couple carried out a suicide bombing outside a Catholic cathedral on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island during a Palm Sunday Mass, injuring at least 20 people.
Nevertheless, the pope’s visit is welcomed by many in the local community. “We have no problem with the visit. He’s a guest and we will welcome him,” said Eldy, a 64-year-old retired government worker.
Catholics make up only 3% of Indonesia’s population, but with the archipelago’s population of 275 million, it hosts the third-largest Christian community in Asia, following the Philippines and China.
Thousands are expected to attend the pope’s events this week, including a Mass on Thursday at Jakarta’s main stadium, which is expected to draw around 60,000 people.
Due to anticipated roadblocks and large crowds, city authorities have advised residents to work from home that day.
“It is a joy for our country, especially for us Catholics,” said Elisabeth Damanik, a 50-year-old housewife outside a packed Mass at Our Lady of the Assumption. “Hopefully the pope’s visit can build religious tolerance in our beloved country of Indonesia.”
In addition to promoting religious tolerance, Pope Francis is expected to address themes such as environmental care, conflict resolution, and ethical economic development during his trip. His main speech to Indonesian authorities on Wednesday is likely to touch on these issues.
Environmental stewardship has been a hallmark of Francis’ papacy, and he has frequently used his international visits to advocate for the protection of God’s creation, preventing the exploitation of natural resources, and highlighting the plight of the poor who are disproportionately affected by climate change and pollution.
In Jakarta, a city of 11.3 million people, Francis will encounter severe air pollution caused by coal-fired power plants, vehicle emissions, trash burning, and industrial activities.
The city’s air pollution levels often exceed World Health Organization limits by eight to nine times.
“Indonesia has the worst air pollution in Southeast Asia,” said Piotr Jakubowski, an air pollution expert and co-founder of Indonesian air quality monitoring company Nafas. He added that the pope’s visit provides a valuable platform for discussing environmental issues.
Residents also hope the pope will address the pressing issue of pollution. “The pollution in Jakarta is at an alarming level.
That’s why the presence of the pope can provide a benefit with the discussion of environmental issues,” said Erik Sebastian Naibaho, a 26-year-old government worker.
Pope Francis is the third pope to visit Indonesia, following Pope Paul VI in 1970 and St. John Paul II in 1989. These visits underscore Indonesia’s significance to the Vatican, both in terms of Christian-Muslim dialogue and the country’s contributions to Catholic vocations, as it is home to the world’s largest seminary and produces hundreds of priests and religious workers each year.
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