Pope Francis emphasized the importance of strengthening inter-religious ties to combat extremism and intolerance during a speech in Jakarta, Indonesia. He stated that interfaith dialogue is crucial in confronting common challenges and promoting peace and harmony in the world. Indonesia and the Vatican share a commitment to peace and brotherhood, making this a significant visit for both parties.
Despite Catholics representing a small minority of the population in Indonesia, the country officially recognizes six religions, including Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism. The pontiff’s visit is focused on fostering interfaith dialogue, with planned meetings with representatives from all six religions at the Istiqlal Mosque, as well as holding discussions with members of the Society of Jesus, the Jesuit order to which he belongs.
During his visit, Pope Francis will address the local Catholic community in Jakarta’s cathedral, as well as meet with young people involved in a global network of schools aimed at helping disadvantaged children. He will engage in various activities to engage the faithful and promote dialogue between different religious groups. The main event of his stopover will be a mass at the country’s national football stadium.
This visit is the third ever by a pope to Indonesia and comes just three months before Pope Francis’s 88th birthday. Originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic, the visit marks his first trip abroad since September 2020. Accompanying him are his personal doctor and nurses, following standard procedure for such trips.
Interfaith ties and promoting peace through dialogue are central to Pope Francis’s agenda during his visit to Indonesia. By engaging with representatives from different religions and fostering unity among various faith communities, he aims to address common challenges such as extremism and intolerance. The pope’s visit to Jakarta is significant for both the Catholic community in Indonesia and the broader interfaith dialogue effort globally.
