Pope Francis landed in Indonesia on Tuesday, marking the start of a significant four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific region. This journey, the longest and most distant of the 87-year-old pontiff’s papacy, will test his endurance as he visits Muslim-majority Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore over the course of 12 days.
The head of the Roman Catholic Church arrived in Jakarta for a three-day visit centered on promoting interfaith dialogue. Following his arrival, he is set to meet with Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo on Wednesday in what is expected to be one of the key moments of his visit. Despite the challenges posed by his increasingly fragile health, Pope Francis, who has appeared in good spirits in recent weeks, is often invigorated by his interactions with the faithful.
In Indonesia, Catholics make up a minority—about three percent of the population or roughly eight million people—compared to the 87 percent majority of Muslims. Despite this, Catholicism is one of the six officially recognized religions in the country, alongside Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, and Confucianism.
On Thursday, Pope Francis will meet with representatives of all six religions at Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and a symbol of religious harmony. The mosque is connected to a nearby cathedral by a “tunnel of friendship,” underscoring the spirit of coexistence that the pontiff’s visit aims to highlight. He will also lead a mass and deliver a sermon at Indonesia’s 80,000-seat national football stadium.
A Message of Unity and Peace
While Indonesia is known for its religious diversity, recent years have seen growing concerns over discrimination, particularly against Christians. Local Catholics hope that the pope will address these issues, although experts suggest that his message will likely focus on broader themes of Islamic-Christian dialogue, similar to his visits to other Muslim-majority countries such as Iraq, Bahrain, Turkey, and Morocco.
Michel Chambon, a theologian and anthropologist at the National University of Singapore, noted that the visit is “not really aimed at Catholics in Indonesia” but is intended to emphasize the global importance of interfaith dialogue.
The significance of the pope’s visit has resonated with many in Jakarta, including Ranggi Prathita, a 34-year-old Muslim who has been selling customized Pope t-shirts. “When there’s an event like this, we enjoy it because when it is our religious event, they (Catholics) also show tolerance to us,” Prathita said. “We all respect each other.”
Indonesia’s religious affairs ministry has also praised the visit, describing it as a symbol of the country’s commitment to religious diversity. According to ministry spokesman Sunanto, “It is very important in conveying a message and showing the world that religious harmony in Indonesia is guaranteed and has been implemented.”
During his visit to Istiqlal Mosque, Pope Francis will sign a joint declaration with the grand imam that will address issues such as the spread of violence and conflict, environmental degradation, and the broader theme of “dehumanization.” The pontiff has consistently called for global action to combat climate change, with Jakarta’s vulnerability to rising sea levels being a pressing concern.
Security and Health Concerns
Given Indonesia’s history of terrorist attacks, including the 2002 Bali bombings that killed 202 people, security measures have been heightened for the pope’s visit. Roads around key sites have been rerouted or closed to ensure safety.
This trip marks the third papal visit to Indonesia, the first since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1989. Originally scheduled for 2020 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the visit comes just three months before Pope Francis’s 88th birthday.
Despite his health challenges—including the use of a wheelchair, recent hernia surgery, and respiratory issues—the pope remains determined to fulfill his mission. He will be accompanied by his doctor and two nurses during the trip, although the Vatican has assured that no additional precautions have been taken beyond the usual measures.
By Ebubedike Ochu
