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Pope calls for interfaith dialogue to solve world crises
In a four-point joint statement named the Istiqlal Declaration, Pope Francis and leaders of Indonesian religious groups called for interfaith cooperation to solve the world's humanitarian and environmental crises.
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Pope Francis (third right) and Istiqlal Mosque grand imam Nasaruddin Umar (second right) arrive for a family photo with Indonesian religious and political figures following an interfaith meeting with religious leaders at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta on Sept. 5, 2024. (AFP/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
P
ope Francis ended the last full day of his visit to Indonesia on Thursday by underlining the importance of interfaith dialogue in achieving societal harmony during an interfaith forum and Holy Mass he led in Jakarta.
The pontiff kicked off the third day of his Jakarta tour with a visit to Istiqlal Mosque, the largest in Southeast Asia.
Upon arriving at the mosque, Francis was welcomed by Nasaruddin Umar, Istiqlal’s grand imam, as well as leaders of organizations representing the six officially recognized religions in Indonesia.
The pope and other religious leaders signed a document called the Istiqlal Declaration, a four-point statement urging religious leaders to cooperate to solve the world’s humanitarian and environmental crises.
They also called for interfaith dialogue to be recognized as an effective tool to resolve local, regional and international conflicts, especially “those incited by the abuse of religion”.
“Strengthening religious harmony is something that we must follow, for it is important to tackle many troubles of the world,” Pope Francis said, “especially wars and conflicts that are, unfortunately, triggered by the exploitation of religion, as well as the environmental crisis that endangers humanity.”
Read also: Pope Francis highlights importance of interfaith harmony in Indonesia
