JAKARTA — Pope Francis arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, marking the start of a rigorous tour of Asia. The 87-year-old pontiff, who has faced growing health concerns, was wheeled off the plane in a wheelchair following an overnight flight from Rome.
This visit to Indonesia is the first leg of a demanding itinerary that will also take him to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. The Pope’s primary aim is to promote interfaith dialogue and harmony between Catholics and Muslims in the predominantly Muslim country.
Upon arrival, Pope Francis was welcomed at Jakarta’s airport by two children dressed in traditional attire who presented him with a bouquet consisting of vegetables, fruits, spices, and flowers. Later on Tuesday, he will meet with refugees, migrants, and sick individuals at the Vatican residence in Jakarta.
On Wednesday, the Pope is scheduled to engage with Indonesia’s political leaders and Indonesian clergy, who are instrumental in the growth of the Catholic Church across Asia. Indonesian President Joko Widodo extended a warm welcome to the Pope, emphasizing the shared commitment between Indonesia and the Vatican to foster peace and enhance human welfare.
On Thursday, the Pope will participate in an interfaith meeting at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest mosque. This event will include representatives from the six officially recognized religions in Indonesia: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism. The mosque and Jakarta’s main Catholic cathedral, Our Lady of Assumption, are situated opposite each other, connected by an underground “Tunnel of Friendship.” Pope Francis is expected to visit this tunnel with the grand imam, Nasaruddin Umar, before signing a joint declaration.
The Pope’s visit is anticipated to draw thousands, with a Mass scheduled for Thursday afternoon at Jakarta’s main stadium expected to attract around 60,000 attendees. Elisabeth Damanik, a 50-year-old housewife, expressed her hopes outside Our Lady of Assumption, saying, “It is a joy for our country, especially for us Catholics. Hopefully, the Pope’s visit can build religious tolerance in our beloved country of Indonesia.”
There are also expectations that Pope Francis will address environmental issues, particularly Jakarta’s severe air pollution. The city’s pollution levels frequently exceed World Health Organization limits by eight to nine times. Government worker Erik Sebastian Naibaho, 26, remarked, “The pollution in Jakarta is at an alarming level. That’s why the presence of the Pope can provide a benefit with the discussion of environmental issues.”
Pope Francis has recently faced health challenges, including his absence from several Easter events and a brief hospital stay earlier this year. Despite these issues, he has not suggested resigning, maintaining his commitment to the papacy, unlike his predecessor Pope Benedict XVI, who resigned at age 85.
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