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View all search resultsPope Francis’s visit debunks the 'clash of civilizations' narrative
The messages of Pope Francis and the example of Indonesia show the world and all people in it that different views and beliefs can promote harmony in diversity, so long as we all make an conscious effort to work together toward it.
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Mass observance: A priest gives Holy Communion to the faithful during a Mass led by Pope Francis at Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium in Jakarta on Sept. 5, 2024. (Reuters/Pool/Yasuyoshi Chiba)
T
he world we live in has become increasingly complex. The dynamics of global affairs, particularly the competition between major powers, have escalated into divisions that disrupt global harmony, fuel intolerance and create unnecessary social friction that is often centered around religion and race.
In the face of these growing global tensions, the visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia as part of his Asia-Pacific tour, which includes Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste and Singapore, has come at a timely and pertinent moment. It heralds a much-needed call for peace and harmony in a world that desperately longs for it.
Pope Francis envisions a world where dialogue and cooperation are possible across cultural and religious divides, in an antithesis to Huntington’s Clash of Civilizations. Since assuming the papacy in 2013, Francis has made pastoral visits to many non-Christian nations, including Jordan, Palestine and Turkey in 2014, Egypt, Myanmar and Bangladesh in 2017, Morocco, Japan and Thailand in 2019 and Mongolia in 2023.
In 2019, the pope made a historic visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), where he met the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed el-Tayeb, one of the most prominent Sunni authorities. Together, they signed the Document on Human Fraternity, which promotes peace and coexistence, solidarity, respect and mutual understanding.
In March 2021, Francis became the first pope to visit Iraq, a Muslim-majority country that has experienced invasion and much unrest. His visit to Indonesia and Singapore this year adds more non-Christian majority countries to the list.
The pope's choice to tour the Asia-Pacific is not without context. According to the Global Religious Diversity report of the Pew Research Center in 2014, the region is home to some of the most religiously diverse countries in the world with a Religious Diversity Index (RDI) score of 9.2, indicating a very highly diverse state.
This is especially evident among ASEAN member states, which widely embrace pluralism of faith.
