Pope Francis Visits Indonesia to Promote Interfaith Harmony

Pope Francis is set to visit Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, next week as part of a 12-day Asia-Pacific tour aimed at promoting interfaith harmony. A key highlight of the visit will be the 'Tunnel of Friendship', a 28.3-meter passage connecting Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque and the Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral, symbolizing religious unity. The pope's schedule includes an interfaith meeting at the mosque and a mass service expected to attract over 80,000 attendees, amidst concerns regarding his health due to his age. Indonesian Catholics, representing only 3% of the population, are particularly excited as they have not experienced a papal visit in over three decades. Many see this visit as a potential catalyst for improved religious tolerance and harmony in the region, with local religious leaders expressing their gratitude for the pope's presence. This visit is viewed as an important milestone, especially given Indonesia's historical context of religious tensions.