The article discusses the upcoming visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia, the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. With Muslims making up 87 per cent of the total population of approximately 280 million, the pope’s visit is seen as a significant event for all religious communities in the country. Ulil Abshar Abdalla, chairman of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country’s largest Islamic organization with over 80 million members, believes that the pope’s visit will inspire grassroots relationships that are tolerant and respectful.
Abdalla highlights the importance of the pope’s visit as a symbolic gesture that will have a real impact on the lives and relations between religious communities, especially between Muslims and Catholics. Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, spokesperson for the Pope Francis Visitation Committee in Jakarta, also emphasizes the significance of Indonesia in the eyes of the Vatican due to the pope’s upcoming visit. The visit is expected to foster better understanding and harmony among different religious groups in the country.
The anticipation and excitement surrounding the pope’s visit are palpable among the Catholic community in Jakarta, particularly at The Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, the oldest cathedral in the city. Some Catholics were moved to tears by the news of the pope’s imminent arrival, expressing feelings of happiness and emotion similar to when Pope John Paul II visited Indonesia in 1989. The upcoming visit of Pope Francis is particularly significant as it marks the first papal visit to Indonesia since Pope John Paul II’s visit over three decades ago.
The pope’s visit is seen as a symbolic gesture that holds great significance for fostering tolerance, respect, and understanding among different religious communities in Indonesia. The positive impact of the visit is expected to inspire relationships at the grassroots level and promote harmony between Muslims and Catholics in the country. The anticipated visit has generated excitement and emotional reactions among the Catholic community in Jakarta, with many expressing feelings of joy and happiness at the prospect of the pope’s arrival.
Overall, the pope’s visit to Indonesia is viewed as a breath of fresh air for all religious communities in the country, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and understanding among different faiths. The visit is expected to have a lasting impact on the relationships between Muslims and Catholics, inspiring greater tolerance and harmony. Through this visit, the hope is to build bridges and strengthen bonds between diverse religious groups in Indonesia, paving the way for a more inclusive and harmonious society.
