On his second day of activities in Jakarta, Pope Francis focused his message on the importance of interreligious dialogue and the fight against extremism in Indonesia, a country of rich cultural and religious diversity. After being welcomed with traditional ceremonies at the Presidential Palace, he met with President Joko Widodo and local leaders to discuss the need for a more balanced social fabric and a fair distribution of social assistance.
In his speech, the Pope stressed that mutual respect for cultural, ethnic, and religious diversity is key to the unity of the country. He called for fostering peace and collaboration between different religious groups, highlighting the role of the Catholic Church in promoting the common good.
In the afternoon, the Pope met with members of the Catholic community at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption, where he encouraged them to continue their mission with faith, fraternity, and compassion. Later, he visited the Grha Pemuda Youth House, where he spoke with young people and promoted principles of peaceful coexistence, ending his day with a symbolic gesture of planting a mangrove tree as a symbol of hope and unity.
