Pope Francis begins Indonesia visit with call for Catholic-Muslim dialogue

The pope also commended the country’s high birth rate, joking that in the West, some families “prefer to have only a cat or a little dog” to children. “In this, you offer an example to other countries,” he said.

As Widodo approaches the end of his second and final term, the meeting also served as a moment for reflection on Indonesia’s trajectory in fostering religious tolerance.

Indonesia emerged from more than 350 years of Dutch colonial rule to declare independence in 1945. Since then, the country has navigated the complexities of religious pluralism, sometimes facing challenges in upholding the constitutional guarantees of religious freedom. Instances of religious intolerance, bureaucratic hurdles for minority religions, and corruption are reminders of the ongoing work required to fulfil the country’s vision of “unity in diversity.”

Pope Francis said: “Sometimes violent tensions arise within countries because those in power want to make everything uniform, imposing their vision even in matters that should be left to the autonomy of individuals or associated groups.”

“In this regard, I make my own the words of St. John Paul II during his 1989 visit to this very palace,” Francis added.

“Among other things, he said: ‘In acknowledging the presence of legitimate diversity, in respecting the human and political rights of all citizens, and in encouraging the growth of national unity based on tolerance and respect for others, you lay the foundations for that just and peaceful society, which all Indonesians wish for themselves and long to bequeath to their children.’”

After the formal meetings, Pope Francis returned to the apostolic nunciature for a private meeting with Jesuits from the region.

In the afternoon, Pope Francis will visit Indonesia’s bishops and the local Catholic community in Jakarta’s Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, which is located across the street from the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, where the pope will take part in an interfaith meeting on Sept. 5.