"In Indonesia we are few Catholics, but with ardent faith."Pope's second day in Indonesia: call against extremism and intolerancePope Francis begins his trip to Indonesia with a meeting with migrantsThree events marked this Thursday, September 5, the last day of Pope Francis' apostolic journey to Indonesia - which continues in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore (until September 13).
First of all, the interreligious meeting in the "Istiqlal" mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia, with a capacity for 120 thousand people. In this emblematic place, the Pope visited the "tunnel of friendship" that connects the mosque with the Catholic cathedral built on the other side of the square, and the interreligious meeting took place in the big tent, with the reading and signing of a document that will make history: the "Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024".
In the mosque
At the beginning of the day, in a store in the mosque IstiqlalIn Jakarta, Pope Francis was welcomed with traditional Indonesian music and chants, a chant from the Koran and the reading of a passage from the Gospel of Luke.
The tunnel of friendship
In front of the "Tunnel of Friendship", the Holy Father praised the structure that "wants to be a place of dialogue and encounter". He indicated that "if we think of a tunnel, we easily imagine a dark road", instead "it is different, because everything is illuminated".
The Pope concluded by stating that "we believers, who belong to different religious traditions, have a role to play: to help everyone to go through the tunnel with their eyes turned towards the light".
The "Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024".
The visit to the tunnel was followed by the signing of the "Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024" by the Pope and Grand Imam Prof. Dr. KH Nasaruddin Umar. The document states how the "global phenomenon of dehumanization is characterized above all by widespread violence and conflict", being "particularly worrying that religion is often exploited".It also points out that "man's abuse of creation... has contributed to climate change", and "religious values must be oriented to promote a culture of respect, dignity, compassion, reconciliation and fraternal solidarity to overcome both dehumanization and environmental destruction".
Therefore, the statement invites religious leaders to "address the above-mentioned crises," indicating that "interreligious dialogue should be recognized as an effective tool for resolving local, regional and international conflicts, especially those caused by the abuse of religion."
The Pontiff's words at the mosque
Once the document is signed, the Pope FrancisHe recalled that "this mosque, designed by the architect Friedrich Silaban, who was a Christian," testifies to "how other places of worship are also spaces for dialogue, mutual respect and harmonious coexistence between religions and different spiritual sensibilities.
And while "the visible aspects of religions - the rites, practices, etc. - are a traditional heritage that must be protected and respected, so too is what lies "below", underground, such as the "tunnel of friendship".
Instead, the Successor of Peter assured, "it can happen that such an approach ends up dividing us, because the doctrines and dogmas of each religious experience are different". Instead, "what really unites us is to create a connection between our differences, taking care to cultivate bonds of friendship, attention and reciprocity."
In the Joint Declaration prepared for this occasion, the Pope concluded, "we assume with responsibility the serious and sometimes dramatic crises that threaten the future of humanity, in particular wars and conflicts, unfortunately also fueled by religious exploitation, but also the environmental crisis, which has become an obstacle to life, growth and the coexistence of peoples".
And he warned: "No one must give in to the fascination of fundamentalism and violence, everyone must be fascinated by the dream of a free, fraternal and peaceful society and humanity!". "God grant you this gift. With his help and blessings let us move forward, Bhinneka Tunggal Ika, united in diversity - thank you!"
Visit to the Episcopal Conference headquarters
At the end of the interreligious meeting, the Holy Father went to the headquarters of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, where he met in the hall of the Bishops' Conference of Indonesia. Henry Soetio with those assisted by charitable organizations, including a private group of sick, poor and disabled people.
Antonius Franciskus Subianto was in charge of receiving the pontiff, who listened to the testimonies of two people with disabilities, Mimi Lusli, who lost her sight as a child and found strength in the Stations of the Cross, and Mikail Nathaniel, 18, a young man with mild autism spectrum disorder, who asked him to bless his "wonderful parents and all parents with special children around the world".
"You who are little shining stars in the sky of this archipelago," are "its treasures," said the Pope who praised the words about Jesus spoken by the two interlocutors.
"Discover day by day how much it is worth to be together", because "we all need each other". And "how much the Lord loves each one of us" because the Lord never forgets us. "Make your life a gift for others".
Shortly afterwards, the head of the liturgical commission led a brief prayer service.
Here the Pontiff blessed those present and signed the marble plaque of the Episcopal Conference Headquarters. As he left, the affection of those present who greeted him was evident.
Mass at the Gelora Bung Karno
In the afternoon, from the Nunciature, the Holy Father went to the stadium Gelora Bung KarnoThe 110,000-seat Papal Palace, where he was received amidst choruses from the square, applause and songs as he was driven around in the Popemobile.
The mass, in memory of St. Teresa of Calcutta, included prayers in the regional languages of Jawa, Toraja, Manggarai, Batak Toba, Dayak Kanayatn and Papua, and was attended by the President and various authorities of the country.
After the proclamation of the Gospel, the Pope, dressed in white, recalled that "the Lord asks to be concretely incarnated in us: we are therefore called to live the Word. Do not clothe yourselves with an outwardly perfect religiosity, thinking to do extraordinary things, but as when "Jesus addresses Peter and urges him to take risks by betting on that Word: "To cast the nets of the Gospel boldly into the midst of the sea of the world".
The Pontiff recalled that St. Teresa of Calcutta said: "When we have nothing to give, we give that nothing. And "even if you reap nothing, never tire of sowing".
At the end of the Mass, before singing the Salve Regina, the Pope exhorted those present in line with the Gospel reading, "Make a mess, make a mess!".
