JAKARTA – During Pope Francis’s first full day of events in Jakarta, both Muslim leaders and locals have joined Indonesia's Catholics in welcoming the Pope and praising his visit, calling it a blessing and an opportunity to boost the country's profile as a place of tolerance between religions.
Inter-religious harmony has so far been the at the heart of Pope Francis’s messaging in Indonesia, with the Pope telling civil authorities to fight extremism and foster tolerance during meetings held on the morning of 4 September, his first full day of official duties since arriving on 3 September, while also telling Indonesian clergy and religious to be openminded and inclusive.
