Pope Francis, on Wednesday, delivered a powerful message to political leaders in Indonesia, urging them to actively combat religious extremism. Speaking during the first leg of his ambitious 12-day Southeast Asia tour, the Pope expressed concern over the distortion of religious beliefs through deceptive tactics and violence. He acknowledged the challenges posed by extremism in a region where Christians are a minority, emphasizing the critical role of interfaith dialogue in promoting understanding and countering intolerance.
Addressing an audience of over 300 politicians and religious leaders at Jakarta’s Merdeka Presidential Palace, the 87-year-old pontiff stressed the importance of fostering a climate of mutual respect and trust. This, he argued, is essential for tackling shared challenges, including the fight against extremism and intolerance, which often exploit religion to impose ideologies through deception and violence.
Indonesia, with its predominantly Muslim population of around 280 million, has a constitution that guarantees freedom of religion. However, the country has witnessed a few incidents of extremist violence in recent years, including suicide bombings in 2021 and 2022 orchestrated by groups affiliated with the Islamic State-inspired Jamaah Ansharut Daulah (JAD). The 2021 attack, which occurred just before the Christian Easter holiday, resulted in injuries to at least 19 individuals.
The Pope’s arrival at the presidential palace was met with enthusiastic crowds waving Vatican and Indonesian flags. Among them was Dorothea Dawai, a 10-year-old schoolgirl wearing a traditional Indonesian kebaya, who expressed her hope to receive a papal blessing. Pope Francis, who has been experiencing knee and back pain, was seated in a wheelchair as he met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, popularly known as Jokowi, outside the palace. The two leaders were greeted by an honor guard playing the Indonesian and Vatican anthems before engaging in a private meeting. Widodo, who will be stepping down from office in October after a decade in power, and Pope Francis exchanged warm greetings.
While Pope Francis did not explicitly mention specific violent incidents during his public remarks, he repeatedly emphasized the dangers of extremism, intolerance, and the manipulation of religion for divisive purposes. He spoke of instances where faith in God is sadly used to sow discord, foster hatred, and undermine peace, communion, dialogue, respect, cooperation, and fraternity.
The Pope’s speech marked the beginning of his working visit to Southeast Asia and the Pacific, which will include stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. His call for vigilance against extremism and his emphasis on interfaith dialogue are significant messages in a region grappling with religious tensions and seeking pathways to peace and harmony.
