Pope Francis Champions Religious Unity and Environmental Action in Landmark Indonesia Visit

Pope Francis has called for unity among religions and urgent action against climate change during his historic visit to Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. Speaking to a crowd of over 80,000 in Jakarta’s main football stadium, the 87-year-old pontiff emphasized the shared journey of all faiths towards peace and understanding, declaring, “We are all brothers, all pilgrims, all on our way to God, beyond what differentiates us.”

The visit began with a significant meeting at Southeast Asia’s largest mosque, the Istiqlal Mosque, where Pope Francis met with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar. Together, they signed a groundbreaking declaration that condemned the exploitation of religion to fuel conflict and urged decisive global action to address the escalating climate crisis. The document stressed that the true role of religion is to protect human dignity and promote harmony among all people.

Pope Francis’s visit to Indonesia marks the first leg of an ambitious Asia-Pacific tour, his longest yet, which will also take him to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. Despite concerns about his health, the Pope appeared energetic, waving to the enthusiastic crowd, who had gathered hours in advance to see him. His message of unity was further underscored by his symbolic walk through the “tunnel of friendship,” a passage that physically connects the Istiqlal Mosque to Jakarta’s Catholic cathedral, representing the close ties that can exist between different faiths.

This visit holds special significance for Indonesia’s small Catholic community, which represents just 3% of the nation’s 275 million people. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see the Pope in person, a moment filled with hope and inspiration.

The Pope also addressed the global environmental crisis, urging all nations to take immediate and decisive action to combat climate change. “The human exploitation of creation has led to a crisis that threatens our very civilization,” he warned, calling on the international community to protect the planet for future generations.

This visit to Indonesia, the first by a Pope since 1989, highlights Pope Francis’s ongoing efforts to foster interfaith dialogue and cooperation, while also addressing some of the most pressing issues facing humanity today.