Pope Francis Begins 11-Day Asia-Pacific Tour

Pope Francis is on an 11-day tour through Southeast Asia and Oceania, starting with Indonesia, where he emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue and combating religious intolerance. During his visit, he met with President Joko Widodo and other religious leaders, calling for unity against extremism and promoting peace. He was welcomed warmly at various locations including the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The Pope highlighted Indonesia’s promise of 'harmony in diversity' and urged it to continue fostering peaceful coexistence. This trip marks the first papal visit to Indonesia since 1989 and is part of a broader effort to strengthen the Vatican's ties in the region.