Pope Francis attended an interfaith meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, on 5 September 2024, where he emphasized the importance of unity, mutual respect, and peace among different religions. He encouraged the participants to resist fundamentalism and violence, instead striving for a “free, fraternal, and peaceful society and humanity.”
The Pope highlighted the significance of the “tunnel of friendship” connecting the mosque to the nearby Catholic cathedral, symbolizing dialogue and encounter. He also signed the “Joint Declaration of Istiqlal 2024” with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, promoting religious harmony and environmental protection.
In his speech, Pope Francis shared two key messages: looking deeply to find common ground beyond differences and taking care of relationships by cultivating bonds of friendship and mutual respect. He emphasized that unity arises from personal connections, mutual respect, and defense of each other’s spaces and ideas.
The Pope concluded by urging the participants to cherish and pass on the gift of harmonious coexistence, especially to the young, and to reject fundamentalism and violence in favor of a peaceful and fraternal society. He received a replica of the mosque and a commemorative medal as gifts.