Pope's Indonesia Visit Highlights Unique Interfaith "Tunnel of Friendship"

Pope Francis is set to embark on a significant journey to Indonesia, commencing on September 3, 2024. This visit marks the first leg of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour, which will also include stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. At 87 years old, the pontiff's ambitious itinerary has raised some concerns regarding his health.

A highlight of the Pope's visit to Jakarta will be his stop at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia. This mosque features a unique architectural element: a 28.3-meter "Tunnel of Friendship" connecting it to the Our Lady of the Assumption cathedral. Constructed in 2020, this tunnel serves as a powerful symbol of religious harmony in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation.

Indonesia, an archipelagic state comprising over 17,000 islands, is home to a diverse population of approximately 280 million people. While nearly 90% of Indonesians identify as Muslim, the country officially recognizes six religions: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucianism. This diversity is reflected in the national motto "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika," which translates to "Unity in Diversity."

The papal visit has generated excitement among Indonesia's Catholic community, which represents about 3% of the population. Maria Regina Widyastuti Sasongko, a 77-year-old Catholic vendor of papal merchandise, expressed her reverence: "If I could meet him, I could only bow before him. I couldn't even bring myself to hold his hand."

Pope Francis is scheduled to participate in an interfaith meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque and visit the "Tunnel of Friendship." Nasaruddin Umar, the grand imam of Istiqlal, emphasized the significance of the visit: "It's extraordinary that the Catholics' number one figure is coming. Whatever your religion is, let's respect our guest."

The pontiff will also meet with outgoing President Joko Widodo and conduct a mass service at a Jakarta stadium, expected to draw over 80,000 attendees, according to Rev. Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, an Indonesian church official.

This visit marks the third papal trip to Indonesia. Pope Paul VI visited Jakarta in 1970, and Pope John Paul II toured five Indonesian cities in 1989. The current visit is seen as a continuation of efforts to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation in a country with a complex religious history.

Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Indonesia's religious affairs minister, stated: "The pope's visit makes Indonesia the barometer of peace and a pillar of tolerance."

However, challenges to religious harmony persist in Indonesia. The U.S. religious freedom watchdog reported that "Indonesia's religious freedom conditions remained poor" in 2023, citing regulations leading to the closure of places of worship, including churches. Andreas Harsono, Indonesia researcher for Human Rights Watch, pointed to laws that facilitate religious intolerance as root causes of these issues.

Despite these challenges, the Pope's visit symbolizes hope for unity and mutual understanding among Indonesia's diverse religious communities. As the world's third-largest democracy grapples with its complex religious landscape, initiatives like the "Tunnel of Friendship" and high-profile interfaith events continue to play a crucial role in fostering harmony and respect among different faith traditions.

"His visit can transform people to love one another."

As Indonesia continues to navigate its path as a pluralistic society, the Pope's visit serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to build bridges between different religious communities and promote mutual understanding in this diverse nation.