Pope Francis to Visit Istiqlal Mosque This Morning

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Francis will visit Indonesia's Istiqlal Mosque this morning. The visit begins activities on the third day of his apostolic journey. During the visit, Pope Francis will meet with Istiqlal Mosque Grand Imam Nasarrudin Umar and interfaith leaders.

Istiqlal Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar said the Catholic leader will visit the friendship tunnel connecting the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church in Central Jakarta. The meeting with the Pope will also discuss the condition of the world and the nation today.

“It also concerns important issues, if you use religious language, in saving the environment,” Nasaruddin said when met at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, after President Joko Widodo's meeting with Pope Francis.

The former Deputy Minister of Religious Affairs said preparations to welcome Pope Francis, who will visit the tunnel of friendship, have been steady. He hopes Francis will be impressed by this symbol of tolerance.

After visiting the Istiqlal Mosque, Pope Francis will continue meeting with beneficiaries of charitable organizations at the office of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI).

Then in the afternoon, at 17:00 WIB (Western Indonesian Time), the Pope will lead a grand mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) in Jakarta.

The September 3-6 visit to Indonesia by the Pope from Buenos Aires is the third for the Catholic leader. Previously, Pope Paul VI visited Indonesia in 1970, followed 19 years later by Pope John Paul II in 1989.

Yesterday, Pope Francis was received by President Jokowi at the Merdeka Palace. Then Jokowi and Pope Francis delivered a message to figures, officials, and ambassadors at the State Palace. Pope Francis' events in Jakarta include a High Mass that he will preside over on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

Daniel A Fajri contributed to this story

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