During a joint visit to Indonesia, Pope Francis and the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque signed a declaration vowing to unite against religiously motivated violence and calling for decisive action on climate change. The declaration, signed at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, highlighted the use of religion to justify violence and suffering, especially towards vulnerable groups. It urged interreligious dialogue as a means to resolve conflicts and emphasized the need for action on the ongoing environmental crisis, which hinders harmonious coexistence among people.
The interfaith gathering, attended by representatives of Indonesia’s six officially recognized religions, was a symbol of tolerance in the largely Muslim country. The two religious leaders also visited the Tunnel of Friendship, a sign of religious tolerance in Indonesia. Francis expressed the importance of using religion to promote human dignity and warned against using it to justify wars. The visit to Indonesia is part of Francis’ 12-day trip to Asia and Oceania, which also includes stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
Despite Indonesia’s commitment to religious freedom, incidents of religious discrimination and violence have occurred in the country, including suicide bombings targeting Christian churches. Following Indonesia, Francis will travel to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, where he will have the opportunity to engage with local religious leaders and communities. The Vatican hopes to improve relations with Beijing through this trip, as three-quarters of Singapore’s population is ethnically Chinese. Pope Francis will also focus on promoting interfaith dialogue and addressing critical global issues during his visit to the region.
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