Pope Francis Concludes Indonesia Visit, Heads to Papua New Guinea

Pope Francis concluded his visit to Indonesia on September 5, 2024, marking the end of a significant three-day program in Jakarta. The pontiff's journey, which began on September 3, is part of an extensive 11-day tour through Southeast Asia and Oceania, set to conclude on September 13, 2024.

The highlight of the Indonesian leg was a jubilant Mass celebrated on September 4, which drew an impressive crowd of over 100,000 attendees. The event, held across two sports stadiums and spilling into a parking lot, surpassed initial expectations of 60,000 to 80,000 participants.

"Don't tire of dreaming and of building a civilization of peace. Be builders of hope. Be builders of peace."

During his time in Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic state comprising over 17,000 islands, Pope Francis focused on encouraging the country's Catholic minority and fostering interfaith relations. Indonesia, home to the world's largest Muslim population, with about 87% identifying as Muslim, provided a unique backdrop for the Pope's message of unity.

A significant moment of the visit was the signing of a joint declaration with the grand imam of Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia's largest mosque capable of accommodating up to 200,000 worshippers. This agreement pledged to combat religiously inspired violence and protect the environment, aligning with Indonesia's national motto of "Unity in Diversity."

As Pope Francis departs for Papua New Guinea, he shifts focus to address social justice priorities in this strategically important South Pacific nation. Papua New Guinea, gaining independence from Australia in 1975, is renowned for its cultural diversity, boasting over 800 indigenous languages and housing approximately 7% of the world's biodiversity despite covering only 1% of the global land mass.

The papal visit to Papua New Guinea is expected to touch on themes of tribal harmony, environmental conservation, and the challenges posed by climate change. This comes in the wake of a devastating landslide in May 2024 in Enga province, which resulted in significant loss of life.

Pope Francis becomes only the second pontiff to visit Papua New Guinea, following St. John Paul II's brief stopover in 1984. The current tour, which includes stops in East Timor and Singapore, marks the longest and farthest voyage of Francis' papacy, underlining the Vatican's commitment to engaging with diverse communities across the globe.

As the tour progresses, it continues to highlight the Pope's dedication to promoting interfaith dialogue, addressing social inequalities, and advocating for environmental stewardship in regions facing unique challenges and opportunities.