The outgoing president has lifted a ban that had been in place for more than 20 years and was introduced to protect the ecosystem and the land. In justifying the decision, he speaks of a ‘correction’ to the previous rule: it would not be sand, but ‘ocean sediments’. Former fisheries minister Susi Pudjiastuti expresses her ‘deep concern’.

Indonesians will be able to visit it upon request and with limited access for a maximum of 300 people per day. Only some areas can be visited, smoking is prohibited. Outgoing President Widodo in the new centre where he will spend his last days in office. The completion of the work, which should be completed within the next two decades, is still far off.

In the general audience held today in St Peter's Square, Francis retraced the stages of the apostolic journey that in recent days has taken him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. "I met living communities that grow by attraction. It gladdened my heart to be able to spend some time with the missionaries and catechists of today’.

The city where the pontiff will go tomorrow is located in a particularly remote area. Francis has expressly asked to add this stop to be able to meet the faithful of the diocese, but also the priests and religious of the Argentine Institute of the Incarnate Word in the parish of Baro, where he has contributed to the construction of a secondary school. The presence of Indonesian missionaries also among those who fled from across the border.

Archbishop Martinelli stresses to AsiaNews the link that makes the declaration signed yesterday in Jakarta and the 2019 text on human fraternity‘different and complementary’. In a world marked by war ‘the danger is getting used to dehumanisation’. Strong ‘symbols’ such as the Tunnel of Friendship or the Abrahamic House are essential. From the Pope also the call to look in depth’ in interreligious dialogue, returning “to the question of God as a fundamental human question”.

In front of thousands of people crowded at a local sports facilities, the pontiff called on the local Church to “to put out to sea.”  Since “The word of the Lord cannot remain a fine abstract idea,” we are asked “to change our gaze” despite “fears and mediocrity”. Tomorrow morning Francis will bid farewell to Indonesia and depart for Papua New Guinea.