Pope Francis Promotes Religious Unity in Indonesia

Pope Francis, during his visit to Indonesia, emphasized the importance of interreligious dialogue and unity to combat extremism and intolerance in a country with a significant Muslim majority. He addressed around 300 political and religious leaders, urging them to foster tolerance and mutual respect to counter the distortion of religion through violence. Concurrently, over 2,300 indigenous communities in Indonesia have appealed to the Pope to advocate for their land rights, accusing the Catholic Church of land seizures that have deprived them of their customary rights. The Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago highlighted specific cases involving dioceses in East Nusa Tenggara, where land claims date back to Dutch colonial rule. As the pontiff calls for compassion toward marginalized groups, the indigenous communities seek recognition and restitution for their ancestral lands. This dual focus on religious unity and indigenous rights underscores the complexities facing Indonesia's diverse society.