Pope Francis’s upcoming visit to Indonesia has generated excitement among the country’s Catholics, as he will be the first pope to visit in over 30 years. With a population of over 270 million, Indonesia is majority Muslim, with only about 3 percent of the population being Catholic. The visit is seen as a significant moment for Indonesian Catholics, showcasing their unity in diversity.
During his visit, Pope Francis will tour Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque and meet with the country’s grand imam, as well as hold a mass for an estimated 80,000 worshippers at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Stadium complex. The visit is seen as an opportunity to showcase Indonesia as a pluralistic and modern Muslim nation that is tolerant towards non-Islamic faiths.
The Immaculate Conception of Mary Cathedral in Medan, a city with a large Christian community, is preparing for the visit by enhancing security measures due to past attacks by extremist groups. The cathedral’s worshippers are eager for the Pope’s visit, hoping it will strengthen relations between Indonesia and the Vatican.
Overall, the anticipation for Pope Francis’s visit is high among Indonesian Catholics, who see it as a rare opportunity to receive special attention from their highest leader and to demonstrate their faith in a predominantly Muslim country.
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