During his apostolic journey to Indonesia on September 5, Pope Francis took part in three pivotal events before heading to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
First, he visited the “Istiqlal” mosque in Jakarta, the largest in Southeast Asia, where he engaged in an interreligious meeting and explored the “tunnel of friendship” linking the mosque to the Catholic cathedral. The signing of the “Istiqlal 2024 Joint Declaration” marked a significant step towards fostering a culture of respect and interfaith dialogue to address issues like violence and climate change.
Following this, the Pope met with individuals supported by charitable organizations at the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference headquarters, underscoring the importance of solidarity and mutual aid. The narratives of those with disabilities were at the forefront, highlighting the worth of each person and God’s unconditional love for all.
The day culminated in a mass at the “Gelora Bung Karno” stadium, attended by 70 thousand faithful, where the Pope encouraged Catholics to embrace dialogue and evangelization, drawing inspiration from the teachings of St. Teresa of Calcutta on generosity and perseverance.
Pope Francis reiterated the significance of interfaith dialogue and the battle against fundamentalism in his addresses, advocating for a unified and peaceful global community.
