Pope Francis, at 87, embarked on a visit to Indonesia, marking the starting point of an extensive four-nation tour that will be the longest of his papacy. With inter-faith ties taking center stage, the visit will also include stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, covering about 32,000km.
Despite Catholics representing a small percentage of the population in Indonesia, the trip aims to promote religious diversity and highlight the importance of Islamic-Christian dialogue. The pope will meet with representatives of six officially recognized religions, including Islam, in a show of religious coexistence.
During his visit, Pope Francis is expected to sign a joint declaration with the grand imam at the Istiqlal mosque, addressing issues of dehumanization, violence, conflict, environmental degradation, and climate change. The visit has sparked excitement in the country, with billboards and a special stamp being created in honor of the pope.
Security measures are tight for the visit, with over 4,000 law enforcement officers deployed to ensure safety. The visit will also include meetings with outgoing President Joko Widodo, clergy, and young people, as well as a mass in an 80,000-seat stadium.
The trip comes amidst concerns about growing discrimination against Christians in Indonesia, with hopes that the pope’s visit will bring attention to these issues. Despite health concerns due to his age and previous health issues, the Vatican has stated that no extra precautions are being taken for the pope’s travel.
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