Indonesia

The Istiqlal Declaration signed in Jakarta during the interreligious meeting. The invitation to believers to work together in the defence of the dignity of every person in conflicts and in the fight against climate change. Walking through the ‘tunnel of friendship’ between the mosque and the cathedral, the Pontiff invited people to ‘look in depth’ to seek what unites religions and to ‘cherish the bonds of friendship’ that make encounter in diversity possible.

“Proclaiming the Gospel does not mean imposing or opposing one's faith to that of others," Francis said in his meeting with bishops, clergy, and pastoral workers in Jakarta cathedral. Calling a catechist to him, he said that catechists carry the Church forward. “What keeps the world going is not the self-interest, it is the charity that is given.”

The Jesuit, a well-known member of the Indonesian Church, speaks about what Francis will say tomorrow in Jakarta to the authorities and the local Catholic community. The most important issues today are “friendship between religions and care for the environment.” This trip is different from the John Paul II's in 1989, when Suharto was still in power. For Fr Magnis-Suseno, “The danger today is called oligarchy,” but he has faith in the future.

A ceremony at Sukarno-Hatta airport, before transfer to the nunciature. The people of Jakarta impressed by Francis' extreme simplicity. During the thirteen-hour flight, the pontiff was also presented with a reproduction of the Xi'an stele, testimony to the ancient roots of Christianity in China.

The pontiff left Rome on the long flight to Jakarta. Tomorrow he will arrive at the nunciature; on Wednesday morning, he will be officially welcomed at the Presidential Palace. For President Joko Widodo, Francis is a “top figure” with whom he will discuss global issues, like Ukraine and Gaza". Much hope is placed in the meeting with the Grand Imam Nazaruddin Umar with whom the pontiff will sign a joint declaration after walking through the tunnel that connects the capital’s main mosque to the Catholic cathedral.

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Originally from Flores Island and the Verbite superior general until a few weeks ago, Mgr Paulus Budi Kleden began his term as archbishop of Ende on 22 August. On the eve of the pope's arrival in the country, he talked to AsiaNews about expectations surrounding the visit, as well as the missionary face of the Indonesian Church, which currently has its own priests and nuns serving evangelisation in dozens of countries around the world.

Presenting the imminent arrival of the pontiff, the Archbishop of Jakarta announced that on 5 September there will be a declaration together with the Grand Imam of the mosque, in the spirit of the Abu Dhabi document. Having reached the maximum capacity of 88,000 faithful for the Mass in the stadium, many more will follow it via streaming in the parishes. To facilitate travel, the Jakarta Authority has decreed a smart-working day for all offices.

On 4 September, the Pope will meet 200 Indonesian students at the ‘Grha Pemuda’ Youth House. The organisation - wanted in Argentina by Bergoglio - will launch the Scholas Citizenship programme, in collaboration with the Indonesian government and the Global 5P Movement, to train young people through its educational methodology, promoting a culture of encounter.

Demonstrations in several cities across the country just days before Pope Francis' visit. An attempt to reform regional elections to allow the president's 29-year-old son to run for governor of Central Java State and block the outgoing governor of the capital's reelection is in the crosshairs. Tensions around Parliament, turned into a “battleground” for a few hours.

First celebrations in the new reality strongly desired by outgoing President Widodo to replace Jakarta. Dozens of political, institutional and religious figures in attendance. Archbishop of Samarinda: “Indonesians showed optimism by visiting” the new capital, but much remains to be done before it “is completed.”

So far, the efforts by governments and international organisations to contain the danger have failed. Dengue fever has no cure and the only prevention is via elimination of the Aedes mosquito. The most dramatic situation is in Rohingya refugee camps in Bangladesh.