Sultan Abdurrahman, Jakarta – The No War Youth Alliances staged a protest in front of the United States Embassy in Jakarta on Thursday, April 23, 2026. The coalition of students from various Jakarta campuses expressed support for Pope Leo XIV, who has been embroiled in controversy with U.S. President Donald Trump over the war with Iran.

Arief Dendy, one of the coordinators, stated that the students agreed with the anti-war stance conveyed by Pope Leo. "This is our solidarity with Pope Leo, because what Pope Leo is fighting for is peace and humanity," Dendy said at the protest site.

Dendy said the protest at the U.S. Embassy was held to protest President Trump. They view Trump as the instigator of various conflicts around the world. He cited the U.S.-Israel war against Iran and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro from his country as examples.

Dendy also criticized Trump for criticizing Pope Leo XIV's anti-war stance. "We are not blaming the American people, we are not blaming the American nation, we see conflicts arise because of Trump personally," said the Chairman of the National Movement of Indonesian Students (GMNI) Jakarta.

Furthermore, the No War Youth Alliances urged the administration of Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to dare to oppose the U.S.-Israel war against Iran. "Indonesia must take a stand against colonialism and imperialism," said Dendy.

Dendy stated that, although this protest is in solidarity with Pope Leo, a Catholic leader, the issue they raised is cross-religious. He stated that the anti-war stance is a universal position based on humanity, regardless of religious background.

Dozens of students participated in the protest in front of the U.S. Embassy when it began in the afternoon. Dendy estimated that about a hundred people would join the protest by evening. The demonstration was attended by GMNI Jakarta, the Association of Catholic Students of the Republic of Indonesia in South and East Jakarta, and the Association of Islamic Students in Central and North Jakarta.

Tension between the leaders of the Vatican and the U.S. has escalated in the past few weeks after a wave of attacks from Trump directed at Pope Leo XIV. Trump said he did not think that the Chicago-born Pope was "doing a very good job," while also suggesting that he "stop listening to the radical left." Trump made these criticisms after Pope Leo XIV condemned the U.S.-Israel war in Iran.

– Sita Planasari contributed to the writing of this article

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/2099960/jakarta-students-rally-in-support-of-pope-leo-xiv-at-us-embass