While tunnels are often seen as dark places, Francis observed "Here it is different, for everything is illuminated".

The pope told the interreligious leaders "You are the light that illuminates it. By welcoming others and respecting their identity, fraternity urges them on a common path travelled in friendship and leading towards the light".

Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, welcoming the Pope, noted that the Tunnel of Fraternity is "proof of the role of the Istiqlal Mosque as a melting pot, especially for the citizens of the pluralistic nation of Indonesia who adhere to the maxim "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" meaning "Unity in diversity".

Umar said Istiqlal, capable of accommodating up to 250,000 worshippers, is the largest mosque in Asia and the third largest in the world after Mecca and Medina. Friedrich Silaban, a Christian architect, designed the mosque.

The Grand Imam noted the mosque regularly hosts interreligious events and educational programmes. He described the mosque as "a great home for humanity" open to all, regardless of their faith.

Umar stressed that the mosque promotes tolerance, evidenced by its connection to the Catholic cathedral through the Tunnel of Fraternity.

Increased interfaith dialogue

Speaking at the mosque, Pope Francis expressed gratitude for those working to foster interreligious unity. He emphasised the importance of friendship and respect between religious communities. He suggested it was a key to addressing global challenges such as extremism and violence.

"Fraternity urges us on a common path" the Pope stated, calling for increased interfaith dialogue in Indonesia and beyond.

During his visit, Pope Francis and the Grand Imam signed the "Istiqlal Declaration" which calls for global action against violence and environmental destruction.

The declaration, signed at the Istiqlal Mosque, highlights the role of interreligious dialogue in fostering peace and protecting human dignity, and urges religious communities to address global crises.

The declaration, supported by Catholics, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Protestants and Confucianists, is a significant move toward promoting unity in Indonesia where religious diversity is constitutionally protected.

Sources

Crux Now

Katholische

CathNews New Zealand

An additional 25,000 people followed the Mass broadcast in another stadium 300 meters away.

The group at GBK on September 5 comprised colleagues from Starki University in Jakarta, affiliated with the Catholic congregation of the Missionary Sisters of St Charles Borromeo.

"How do I feel being here? I'm lucky. Many Catholics didn't get tickets and are watching the pope on TV," said 60-year-old Maria Ambarwati, as Pope Francis' car entered the stadium amid cheers of "Viva il Papa!"

Like her colleagues, the English and management teacher wore a straw hat with the large inscription: "Laudato si'."

Read More

National Counterterrorism Agency officials inspected the cathedral after police arrested a terror suspect in Malang, East Java, who allegedly planned to attack two houses of worship.

"The goal is to ensure Pope Francis' arrival at Jakarta Cathedral runs safely," said Colonel Setyo Pranowo, head of the agency's security unit.

He said the move was part of the agency's aim to ensure public facilities like churches are free of terror threats.

Agency officials examined equipment and infrastructure within the cathedral and collected details from security personnel deployed in the cathedral area.

Read More