The pontiff made the appeal during a speech to national leaders in Jakarta on 4 September at the start of his three-day visit to the country.

Speaking with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and other officials, Pope Francis highlighted the nation's cultural and religious diversity as a source of strength.

Francis emphasised the importance of mutual respect and collaboration among different ethnic and religious groups to maintain social harmony.

"Just as the ocean is the natural element uniting all Indonesian islands, mutual respect for the specific cultural, ethnic, linguistic and religious characteristics of all the groups present in Indonesia is the indispensable and unifying fabric that makes Indonesians a united and proud people" the pope said.

"A harmony in diversity is achieved when particular perspectives take into account the needs common to all" he added.

Religious extremism

While Indonesia is known for its general climate of tolerance, incidents of religious extremism have caused concern.

In recent months, authorities foiled an alleged plot by Islamic extremists to bomb two Catholic churches in East Java. And Catholic students in Jakarta were assaulted by a mob while praying.

Although these incidents were not directly linked to the Pope's visit, they illustrate challenges faced by minority religious communities in the country.

Interfaith dialogue

Pope Francis reaffirmed the Catholic Church's dedication to strengthening interfaith dialogue, emphasising its importance in promoting mutual understanding and cooperation. He noted that this approach is crucial in tackling shared challenges to combat extremism and intolerance.

He said that these efforts can overcome prejudices and develop a climate of mutual respect and trust. They will also help address "the imbalances and suffering still present in some areas".

Pope Francis will privately meet Jesuits serving in Indonesia after meeting with national authorities. He will then meet with bishops, clergy and members of religious communities serving in the country, and young people involved in the Scholas Occurentes organisation.

Pope Francis is in Jakarta during a broader 2-13 September visit to Asia and Oceania. He will stay in the city until 6 September when he flies to Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea.

Sources

Crux Now

Catholic News Agency

CathNews New Zealand

The U2 frontman told reporters he met privately with Francis on Wednesday to sign an agreement between his charity, ONE, and the Scholas Occurentes educational charity supported by Francis.

"We haven't figured out what we are going to do together," Bono said, "but we sort of have a crush on each other."

ONE is a campaign and advocacy effort working to end extreme poverty, especially in Africa.

Bono says one of its current focuses is education for girls and young women.

About "130 million girls around the world do not go to school, because they are girls," he said.

"Poverty is sexist" is the ONE campaign slogan.

Scholas began in Francis' Buenos Aires Archdiocese, supporting education in poor neighbourhoods by pairing local schools with private schools and institutions in wealthier neighbourhoods.

The organisation has grown to other countries and supports a variety of exchange programmes aimed at promoting education, encouraging creativity and teaching young people about respect, tolerance and peace.

Besides signing the ONE/Scholas agreement, Bono said hen and Francis also discussed a number of topics including "the wild beast that is capitalism," sustainable development and sex abuse.

Francis is "aghast" about sex abuse in the Catholic Church, Bono said. "I thought he was sincere."

He said when he told Francis that in Ireland "it looks as though the abusers are being more protected than the victims, "you could see the pain in his face."

Source

• America Magazine
• AP News
• Image: KFGO.com

President Macri had sent 16,666,000 Argentine pesos for Scholas Occurentes, an educational charity the Pope supports.

In a note to the charity's office, the Pontiff said "I don't like the 666".

The number is associated with the Antichrist.

A spokesman for President Macri denied the sum was intended as an affront to the Pope.

The spokesman said the charity asked for that amount.

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