A number of Jakarta residents welcomed Pope Francis at the Soekarno Hatta International Airport on Tuesday. And despite many only seeing the car carrying Francis from a distance, they were thrilled.
“The mere sight of the Pope’s hat heals me,” said Yohana Victoria, 47, while waving at Francis’ car passing across the street.
Victoria made a point of leaving her house near the airport at 8:30am so she could see Francis, as she could not attend the grand mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium.
“I am very grateful that the Pope can still come to Indonesia to bring a mission of peace, tolerance, love, and forgiveness,” she said.
He will also travel to Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore as part of his visit, which is expected to focus on inter-religious harmony.
The 12-day trip will mark the longest time the pontiff has spent away from the Vatican.
The marathon trip comes despite the fact that the 87-year-old has been battling health problems and using a wheelchair in recent months.
Asia Pacific is one of only a few places in the world where the Catholic Church is growing in terms of baptised faithful and religious vocations.
Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia underscores the Catholic Church’s concern for a region that is both rich in natural and mineral resources and increasingly vulnerable to geopolitical struggles. Indonesia is a focal point in the global race for control over key commodities, such as nickel, the most important metal used for batteries of electric vehicles. This has made parts of the country battlegrounds for influence and exploitation.
Indonesia is also acutely vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, which is exacerbating issues such as deforestation, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. These environmental crises threaten both the livelihoods of millions and the very ecosystems that sustain the country’s rich biodiversity. Pope Francis, a vocal advocate for environmental stewardship, is expected to address these urgent issues during his visit.
The Pope’s agenda in Indonesia will likely emphasise the need for sustainable development practices that protect both people and the environment. By advocating for the responsible management of Indonesia’s natural resources and highlighting the ethical dimensions of climate change, Pope Francis is positioning the Catholic Church as a moral voice in the ongoing struggle for a just and sustainable future.
BBC
