Jakarta, September 6, 2024 – In a long-awaited and historic event, Pope Francis visited Indonesia from September 3 to 6, 2024. This marked the first papal visit to the country since Pope John Paul II came in 1989.
More than just a diplomatic trip, the visit symbolized Indonesia's commitment to religious tolerance and interfaith harmony.
Pope Francis arrived at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport at 11:19 AM on September 3 and was warmly welcomed by Minister of Religious Affairs Yaqut Cholil Qoumas and other high-ranking officials.
Crowds lined the streets from the airport to the Vatican Embassy, waving flags and offering warm greetings. The atmosphere was festive, with people from various religious and cultural backgrounds expressing admiration and excitement for the Pope’s presence.
On September 4, the Pope held an official meeting with President Joko Widodo at the Merdeka Palace. Their discussions focused on strategic global issues such as peace, climate change, and interfaith collaboration.
During the meeting, Pope Francis shared two key messages for the Indonesian people: to preserve unity through diversity and to seek common ground in differences.
One of the most symbolic moments of the visit was the Pope’s trip to both Istiqlal Mosque—the largest mosque in Southeast Asia—and Jakarta Cathedral, which stand side by side.
Alongside Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, the Pope signed the Istiqlal Declaration 2024, a joint commitment to strengthening interreligious brotherhood.
He also walked through the “Tunnel of Brotherhood,” a pathway connecting the mosque and the cathedral, which stands as a physical and spiritual representation of peaceful coexistence.
The Pope's visit was warmly welcomed not only by political leaders and the Catholic community but also by Islamic organizations. The youth wing of Nahdlatul Ulama (Banser) declared the visit a testament to Indonesia’s vibrant interfaith harmony.
“This visit shows that Indonesia can thrive in peace despite its many differences,” said a Banser representative.
Although Pope Francis had previously met with Muhammadiyah Chairman Haedar Nashir in February 2024 during the Zayed Award for Human Fraternity ceremony in the Vatican, no official meeting between the two occurred during this visit to Indonesia. Nonetheless, Muhammadiyah expressed support for the visit and its message of unity.
On September 5, Pope Francis led a grand mass at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, attended by over 80,000 Catholics from across the archipelago. In his homily, the Pope emphasized compassion, social justice, care for the environment, and solidarity with the marginalized. The stadium was filled with emotion as people from diverse regions and backgrounds gathered in spiritual celebration.
The Pope concluded his visit on September 6 and continued his apostolic journey to Papua New Guinea. However, the memory of his time in Indonesia will be long remembered as a powerful reminder of the country’s dedication to peace, diversity, and tolerance.
Brief Profile of Pope Francis
Pope Francis, born Jorge Mario Bergoglio on December 17, 1936, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, is the 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He is the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit to hold the papacy.
Known for his humility and closeness to the poor, he has chosen to live a simple lifestyle, often rejecting many of the luxuries traditionally associated with the papal office.
He was elected pope on March 13, 2013, following the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. He took the name "Francis" in honor of Saint Francis of Assisi, symbolizing his commitment to peace, the poor, and care for creation.
Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis has consistently championed social justice, environmental protection, interfaith dialogue, and institutional reform within the Church. His visit to Indonesia further affirmed his mission to foster unity and peace in a divided world.
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