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In his first speech during an ambitious 12-day journey across
Southeast Asia, where Christians are a small minority of the
regional population, the pontiff said the Catholic Church would
increase its efforts toward inter-religious dialogue in hopes of
helping tamp down extremism.
"In this way, prejudices can be eliminated, and a climate of
mutual respect and trust can grow," the 87-year-old pope said in
an address to some 300 politicians and religious leaders at
Jakarta's Merdeka Presidential Palace.
"This is indispensable for meeting common challenges, including
that of countering extremism and intolerance, which through the
distortion of religion attempt to impose their views by using
deception and violence," said Francis.
Indonesia has a population of about 280 million people and is
estimated to be about 87% Muslim. Freedom of religion is
guaranteed in the country's constitution.
There have been several incidents of extremist violence in the
country in recent years, including suicide bomb attacks in 2021
and 2022 by persons affiliated with the Islamic State-inspired
group Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD).
The 2021 incident took place just before the Christian Easter
holiday, and wounded at least 19 people.
In his own speech welcoming the pope to Indonesia, President
Joko Widodo thanked Francis for his efforts to call for a
ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war.
"Indonesia appreciates the Vatican's attitude which continues to
voice (and) call for peace in Palestine, and supports a
two-state solution," said Widodo, who is stepping down in
October after 10 years in office.
Francis was greeted by crowds waving small Vatican and
Indonesian flags as his car arrived at the presidential palace.
Dorothea Dawai, a school child aged 10, was among the group
welcoming the pope. Wearing a green kebaya, a traditional
Indonesian dress, she said she hoped to ask for a blessing.
The pontiff, who suffers from knee and back pain, was seated in
a wheelchair as he left his car, and met the president outside
the building.
The two leaders were saluted by an honour guard playing the
Indonesian and Vatican anthems, before heading inside for a
private meeting.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi told journalists that
Francis and Widodo had not spoken specifically about the
Israel-Gaza war in their meeting, but more generally about
ongoing conflicts and "the importance of peace".
In his public remarks, Francis did not mention any specific
violent incidents, but made several references to extremism,
intolerance and manipulation of religion.
"There are times when faith in God is … sadly manipulated to
foment divisions and increase hatred instead of furthering
peace, communion, dialogue, respect, cooperation and
fraternity," said the pontiff.
Francis' speech came on his first working day of the trip to
Southeast Asia and the Pacific, which will also include stops in
Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
The pope is set to travel nearly 33,000 km (21,000 miles) on the
12 days of the tour, before he arrives back in Rome on Sept. 13.
Later on Wednesday, Francis is due to meet with Indonesia's
Catholic bishops at Jakarta's cathedral. On Thursday, he will
take part in an inter-religious meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque,
the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.
(Reporting by Joshua McElwee and Stefanno Sulaiman; Editing by
John Mair and Lincoln Feast.)
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