As Pope Francis prepares to embark on his Asia tour, one of his early destinations will be Indonesia's renowned Istiqlal mosque. The 87-year-old leader of the Catholic Church will convene an interfaith gathering with representatives from Indonesia's six officially recognized religions, highlighting the nation's commitment to religious tolerance amidst growing challenges.
During his four-nation visit, Pope Francis will commence his journey in Jakarta on September 3, where he is scheduled to meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. At Istiqlal mosque, the Argentine Jesuit known for his advocacy of religious dialogue will engage with delegates representing Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism, and Protestantism.
