Pope Francis appealed for religious unity during a massive gathering of over 80,000 people at a football stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia.
This followed his earlier meeting with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar at Southeast Asia's largest mosque, the Istiqlal Mosque. Together, they signed a joint declaration condemning the use of religion to fuel conflict and calling for urgent climate action.
The 87-year-old pontiff addressed the predominantly Catholic crowd and urged them to "sow seeds of love" and "be builders of unity and peace."
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His visit to Indonesia, where Catholics represent only three percent of the population in the world's largest Muslim-majority country, resonated deeply with attendees. Among them was 59-year-old notary Anastasia Ida Ediati, who witnessed this rare event.
Pope Francis' speech focused on the importance of interfaith dialogue. He called on religious leaders from Indonesia’s six officially recognized faiths—Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism—to work together for peace and harmony.
He emphasized the shared journey of all faiths toward God despite their differences.
As part of his visit, the pope toured the "tunnel of friendship" that connects the mosque to Jakarta’s cathedral, symbolizing religious unity. He also participated in a joint reading of the Quran and the Bible passages.
The declaration signed at the mosque addressed two critical global issues: the misuse of religion for violence and the urgent need to combat climate change. The statement urged immediate action to protect the environment and human dignity, aligning with the pope's long-standing focus on environmental and social justice.
This trip is Francis’ first visit to Indonesia and the third papal visit.
