Pope Francis Visits the Istiqlal Mosque-Cathedral Tunnel

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Pope Francis signed the Istiqlal Declaration with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque Nasarudin Ummar. The declaration was agreed upon during Pope Francis' visit to the Istiqlal Mosque-Cathedral Church Tunnel on Thursday, September 5, 2024.

Francis said the tunnel connecting the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church has a very deep meaning for the unity of religious communities. In the tunnel, which was built in 2020, various ethnicities and religions meet.

“This tunnel shows that two places of worship not only face each other, but also connect each other,” Francis said on Thursday.

For the Bishop of Rome, the encounter between Catholics and Muslims in the tunnel connecting the mosque and the church is very meaningful. In their daily interactions, they can mingle, meet each other, and increase tolerance.

Unlike other tunnels that are generally pitch-black, the Istiqlal tunnel is bright because it symbolizes unity.

“When we think of a tunnel, we easily imagine a dark passage. However, here it is different. Everything is bright,” Francis said. “You are the light that illuminates it.”

Francis hoped that religious people in Indonesia could play a role in resolving conflicts and wars through humanitarian dialogues. The bishop of Rome said the world faces various challenges. For example, divisions due to religious manipulation.

“Therefore, we respond with symbols of brotherhood,” Francis said.

According to Tempo, Pope Francis arrived by driving a white Toyota Innova Zenix car at around 09:06 WIB (Western Indonesian Time). The arrival of Pope Francis was welcomed by hundreds of people who had been waiting around the entrance of the Istiqlal Mosque.

Hendrik Yaputra contributed to this article.

Editor's Note: Paragraph 3 and 4 are added.

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA

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