Pope Francis and Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar have vowed to promote peace and environmental protection during Francis' visit to Indonesia. This interfaith pledge occurred at Jakarta's Istiqlal Mosque, symbolizing their commitment to mutual understanding. The meeting included representatives from Indonesia's six officially recognized religions: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism.
The two religious leaders stood at the "Tunnel of Friendship" entrance, a passage linking the mosque to the nearby Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral. This tunnel represents Indonesia's dedication to religious freedom despite frequent challenges to minority rights. Francis emphasized the importance of different religions in guiding humanity through life's challenges, stating, "we respond with the sign of fraternity."
Francis' visit marks the beginning of an 11-day tour across Asia and Oceania, focusing on combating extremism and reinforcing Catholic-Muslim relations. Enhancing ties with Muslim nations has been central to Francis' papacy. Additionally, addressing climate change remains a high priority, reinforcing his call for moral responsibility in safeguarding the planet.
story continues below
Word count: 161 (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
,
uBlock 
,
and
Ghostery 
)
