Pope Francis Arrives in Indonesia to Begin Asia-Pacific Tour

Photo : AP

Jakarta, Indonesia: Pope Francis has arrived in Indonesia to commence a significant four-nation tour of the Asia-Pacific, marking the longest and farthest journey of his papacy at age 87. The Pope touched down in Jakarta on Tuesday for a three-day visit focused on inter-religious dialogue, followed by travels to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.

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Upon arrival, the Pope was seen disembarking in a wheelchair, greeted with an honor guard, and met by Indonesian officials, including the Minister of Religious Affairs. He was also presented with a traditional bouquet from two children. Despite the challenges posed by his health, which has been increasingly fragile, the Pope appeared energized, smiling and waving after the 13-hour flight.

In a light-hearted moment, the Pope thanked reporters on his chartered plane, noting, "I think it is the longest one (flight) I have done." He then chose a modest civilian Toyota for his transport from the airport to the Vatican's diplomatic mission in Jakarta, opting for simplicity over the usual luxury vehicles.

On Tuesday, following his long journey from Rome, Pope Francis is expected to rest before meeting President Joko Widodo on Wednesday. This meeting will be a key event in his visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country where Catholics make up less than three percent of the population.

The Pope's itinerary includes a significant event at Istiqlal Mosque on Thursday, where he will meet representatives from all six officially recognized religions in Indonesia. This mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, symbolizes the nation's religious diversity and is connected to the nearby cathedral via a "tunnel of friendship." During this visit, Pope Francis will sign a joint declaration with the mosque's grand imam addressing issues like dehumanization, violence, and environmental degradation.

Pope Francis will also celebrate a mass at the 80,000-seater national football stadium in Jakarta. Local Catholics, numbering around eight million, are hopeful that the Pope will address concerns about growing discrimination and religious tensions. The visit is seen as an opportunity to highlight the importance of Islamic-Christian dialogue on a global scale.

The Pope’s visit, originally scheduled for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, is his third to Indonesia and the first since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1989. It occurs just three months before his 88th birthday and comes after he canceled a planned address at the UN climate talks in Dubai last year. Due to his health issues, including recent hernia surgery and respiratory problems, the Pope is traveling with his personal doctor and two nurses. However, Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni emphasized that no additional precautions are being taken beyond the norm.

Security has been heightened around key sites in Jakarta, with roads being re-routed or closed to ensure the safety of the Pope during his visit. This visit not only underscores the Pope's commitment to fostering inter-religious dialogue but also highlights Indonesia's role as a symbol of religious coexistence and diversity.