7 July 2024: Pope Francis is set to preside over an interfaith gathering at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, marking a significant event during his upcoming extensive tour across Asia, as per a news report by The Times of India. Scheduled from September 2 to 13, this journey will be the longest and most complex of his pontificate, as announced by the Vatican on Friday.
Upon arrival in Jakarta on September 3, Pope Francis will begin with a day of rest before engaging in a series of protocol visits with heads of state, government officials, and diplomatic speeches. This visit makes Pope Francis the third pontiff to visit Indonesia, following Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989. Indonesia, with its population predominantly Muslim, also hosts a substantial Christian community, making it a symbolic location for interfaith dialogue.
In addition to the interfaith meeting at Istiqlal Mosque, Pope Francis plans to traverse the “Tunnel of Friendship,” connecting the mosque to the Our Lady of The Assumption Cathedral. This journey underscores his commitment to promoting interreligious harmony and tolerance, themes he has consistently emphasized during his global travels, particularly in Muslim-majority nations.
Originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this 11-day journey includes stops in East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore. Notably, East Timor holds a significant Catholic population, with Francis being the second pope to visit the country after its independence in 2002.
Despite health challenges that have occasionally limited his mobility, Pope Francis remains committed to international engagements, culminating in a subsequent visit to Belgium and Luxembourg later in September.
