Pope Francis has held a special Eucharistic celebration that concluded his three day visit in Indonesia.
Termed as a giant Mass, it was held at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, with a congregation totaling to 60,000 people.
Catholics represent about 3% of Indonesia’s population of 275 million, but the country is home to the world’s largest Catholic seminary and has long been a top source of priests and nuns for the Catholic Church.
Pope Francis, who arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday for a three-day visit to the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, has held several meetings with the Catholic Bishops, Religious, Political leaders, Muslims and Youths.
Before the Mass Pope Francis signed a joint declaration condemning religious-based violence with Muslim leader Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar at the grounds of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque.
The Istiqlal Joint Declaration 2024 is titled “Fostering Religious Harmony for the Sake of Humanity.”
Named for Indonesia’s national Istiqlal Mosque, the document calls for religious leaders to work together to promote human dignity, interreligious dialogue, and environmental protection.
Pope Francis appealed for religious unity today as he addressed tens of thousands of people at a football stadium after meeting faith leaders at South-east Asia’s biggest mosque.
By Our Reporter
5th Sept 2024
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