Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque - the largest mosque in Southeast Asia and in the world’s most populous Muslim nation - will be the venue of a meeting between Pope Francis and Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar.

The meeting is part of the pope’s 45th apostolic journey to Asia-Pacific.

As part of a commitment to promote interfaith harmony, Francis, 87, is scheduled to sign a “humanitarian document” with Nasaruddin and meet with other interfaith leaders, according to news portal Tempo.co.

The meeting and signing ceremony is set to take place on Thursday, followed by a Catholic mass led by Francis held at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno stadium.

“The humanitarian document that will be signed by the pope and grand imam is prepared by the Vatican, Indonesia’s Conference of Churches and the Istiqlal Mosque,” said Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi as quoted by Tempo.

Pope Francis

According to the report, Francis had previously inked a similar document in 2019 while on a visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - calling on all religious leaders to take up a role in upholding global unity, as well as addressing environmental and human rights issues.

Further, Retno described the pope’s visit as a key pillar towards upholding peaceful interfaith relations.

“Amid a global landscape still marked by conflicts, this spirit (of peaceful interfaith relations) should be the basis of relations between people and countries,” she said.

Catholics reportedly make up about three percent or some eight million of Indonesia’s total population which comprises over 85 percent Muslims.

Earlier, Francis’ delegation arrived at Soekarno Hatta International Airport after a 14-hour journey from Rome and met by Indonesia’s Religious Affairs Minister Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, Ignatius Cardinal Suharyo and the Vatican’s Apostolic Nunciature to Indonesia, Piero Poppo.

The pope is scheduled to be in Indonesia until Friday before departing to Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and Singapore.

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