Pope Francis touched down in Indonesia on September 3, marking the beginning of a significant four-nation tour across the Asia-Pacific region, which is set to be the longest and most extensive journey of his papacy at the age of 87.
The leader of the Catholic Church, which has 1.3 billion members worldwide, arrived in Jakarta for a three-day visit focusing on promoting interfaith dialogue. Following his time in Indonesia, the Pope is scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.
This 12-day tour poses a considerable challenge to Pope Francis’ increasingly delicate health, yet he often finds renewed energy from his interactions with the faithful. Despite the 13-hour flight, he greeted the crowd with a smile and a wave upon arrival.
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“I thank you for accompanying me on this journey,” Pope Francis told reporters on his plane, according to an AFP journalist. “I believe this is the longest trip I have ever taken.”
Upon landing in Jakarta, the Pope was welcomed by an honor guard, Indonesian officials, including Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, and a traditional flower bouquet presented by two children. Choosing humility over luxury, Pope Francis opted for a simple civilian Toyota car instead of a more opulent vehicle as he departed the airport.
The first day in Jakarta was intended to be a restful one for the Pope, allowing him to recover from the long flight from Rome. The following day, he is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in the first major event of his visit to the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
In Indonesia, Catholics make up less than 3% of the population, totaling around eight million people, compared to the 87% who practice Islam. Nevertheless, Catholicism is one of six officially recognized religions in the secular state, alongside Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.
On September 5, Pope Francis will meet with leaders from all six recognized religions at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and a symbol of Indonesia’s religious harmony. The mosque is connected by a “tunnel of friendship” to a nearby cathedral, where Christians have been eagerly taking photos with a life-size cutout of the Pope in anticipation of his visit.
The Pope will also lead a mass and deliver a sermon at Indonesia’s national football stadium, which has a seating capacity of 80,000.
Joint Declaration
Despite Indonesia’s official recognition of multiple religions, there are growing concerns about religious discrimination, particularly against Christians. Local Catholics hope that Pope Francis will address these issues during his visit.
Dr. Michel Chambon, a theologian and anthropologist at the National University of Singapore, noted that the Pope’s visit is not solely aimed at Indonesian Catholics but is intended to emphasize the global importance of Islamic-Christian dialogue. Pope Francis has delivered similar messages in other Muslim-majority countries, including Iraq, Bahrain, Turkey, and Morocco.
This sentiment is echoed by some in Jakarta. When there’s an event like this, we appreciate it because during our religious events, Catholics also show tolerance towards us,” said Ranggi Prathita, a 34-year-old Muslim who has been selling customized Pope T-shirts. “We all respect each other.”
The Indonesian Religious Affairs Ministry has also praised the Pope’s visit as a reflection of the nation’s religious diversity.
During his visit to the Istiqlal Mosque, Pope Francis is expected to sign a joint declaration with the grand imam, addressing issues such as violence, conflict, and environmental degradation, as stated by the Indonesian Bishops’ Conference. The Pope has been a vocal advocate for action against climate change, which poses a significant threat to Jakarta due to rising sea levels.
Security has been heightened for the Pope’s visit, with road closures and rerouting around key locations on his itinerary.
Fragile Health
This visit marks Pope Francis’ third trip to Indonesia and the first by a pontiff since Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1989. Originally planned for 2020, the trip was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and now takes place just three months before the Pope’s 88th birthday.
Pope Francis, who frequently uses a wheelchair, underwent hernia surgery in 2023 and has faced respiratory challenges. This is his first international trip since his visit to Marseille, France, in September 2023, after canceling a planned address at UN climate talks in Dubai later that year.
Accompanying him on this journey are his personal doctor and two nurses, although Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni assured that this is standard procedure and no additional precautions have been taken.
