Pope Francis Commends Indonesia’s Unity in Diversity During Jakarta Visit

Pope Francis Praises Indonesia’s Unity in Diversity During Jakarta Visit

Pope Francis on Wednesday lauded Indonesia’s foundational principle of “unity in diversity” during his inaugural public address in the country. He emphasized the importance of remaining vigilant against intolerance and extremism. The Pope met with President Joko Widodo early in the morning in Jakarta, the capital, a day after arriving in the country following a lengthy 13-hour flight from Rome.

Dressed in his traditional white papal robes, Pope Francis stood alongside Mr. Joko, who was adorned with a traditional Islamic cap, on the steps of the historic Dutch colonial-era presidential palace. Indonesian honor guards paraded around them as a marching band played hymns, setting a ceremonial tone for the meeting.

This visit marks the first leg of Francis’s ambitious 11-day tour across the Asia-Pacific region, which poses a significant physical challenge for the 87-year-old pontiff. Throughout his papacy, Francis has prioritized outreach to Asia, and he previously became the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula. Promoting interfaith harmony has been one of his key missions, a goal he aims to further in Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population.

In his speech at the presidential palace, the Pope likened Indonesia’s rich tapestry of religions, ethnicities, and cultures to its remarkable biodiversity. He stated that tolerance and mutual respect have been instrumental in uniting the nation, “just as the ocean serves as the natural element connecting all Indonesian islands.” While both the Pope and Mr. Joko praised Indonesia’s pluralistic society, Francis cautioned that the country must remain vigilant in combating intolerance and extremism.

He expressed that unity represents a “wise and delicate balance” that “must be continuously defended,” particularly by those in political positions, in light of the “imbalances and suffering that still persist in certain areas.” Despite Indonesia’s predominantly Muslim population, it is also home to millions of followers of other faiths, including Catholicism. The nation has historically exemplified interreligious harmony; however, in recent years, individuals from religious minorities have reported facing discrimination amid the rise of more conservative Islamic ideologies.

• “For Indonesia, differences are a gift,” stated Mr. Joko, who is set to conclude his decade-long presidency in October. “And tolerance is a fertilizer for peace and unity of a nation.”
• Some Indonesian Catholics have voiced concerns regarding persecution due to their faith, often stemming from the misconception that they aim to convert Muslims.
• Desri Yohanna, 24, expressed hope that the Pope would demonstrate that Catholics are not fanatics as she left Sunday Mass at the Santa Clara Catholic Church on the outskirts of Jakarta.

On Wednesday, Pope Francis addressed these anxieties by affirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to enhancing interreligious dialogue and collaboration with other faiths, with a clear message: “to never proselytize.”

As he continues his journey, Mr. Joko, who has urged the United States to take a more active role in addressing the conflict in Gaza, acknowledged the Vatican’s ongoing calls for peace in Palestine. While the Pope did not specifically address the Middle East conflict, he noted that intolerance has fueled violence globally, contrasting sharply with Indonesia’s founding principle of unity.

Report contributed by Muktita Suhartono.