Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Indonesia next week, where he will make a notable stop at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, connected to the city’s Catholic cathedral by a unique “Tunnel of Friendship.”
The 28.3-meter tunnel, completed in 2020, links the mosque to the Our Lady of the Assumption cathedral and symbolizes religious harmony. This theme is central to the Pope’s 12-day Asia-Pacific tour, which also includes stops in Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
Pope Francis, 87, will arrive in Indonesia on September 3, despite health concerns. This trip marks the longest journey of his papacy. In Jakarta, he is set to participate in an interfaith meeting at Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest, and visit the still-unopened tunnel, which features windows and artwork.
Nasaruddin Umar, the mosque’s grand imam, expressed enthusiasm for the visit, emphasizing the respect shown to the Pope. He noted that the mosque’s parking facilities are often available for churchgoers during major religious events. “Whatever your religion, let’s respect our guest,” Umar said.
In Indonesia, only 3% of the 280 million population is Catholic, while nearly 90% are Muslim. Pope Francis is also expected to meet outgoing President Joko Widodo and lead a mass at a Jakarta stadium, where over 80,000 attendees are anticipated, according to Rev. Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, an Indonesian church official.
