Jakarta – The impending visit of Pope Francis to Indonesia this week could not be more timely, coming as it does after a tumultuous period during which the country's democracy again rose up against an attempt by those with power to bury it.

Of course, the pope is not going to address the democratic regression that Indonesia and its people have been enduring; nor does he plan to address the environmental and humanitarian disasters plaguing the country as a result of overexploitation of natural resources and rampant corruption.

But his visit from Sept. 3 to 6 speaks volumes about his stance in upholding the values of democracy and human rights, which adhere to no national borders or to a single religion.

In his address just ahead of the European Parliament election in July, the pope decried the current state of democracy and warned against "populists" that masked their greed for power.

"Democracy is not in good health in today's world," he said at the time.

Though he did not refer to any region specifically, Indonesian democracy certainly has been ailing in recent years, with the political establishment bulldozing popular opposition to controversial bills deemed to strengthen the power of oligarchs. But the nationwide protests on Aug. 22 forced the pro-government House of Representatives to drop its proposed revision to the Regional Elections Law, apparently initiated to circumvent the Constitutional Court rulings that aimed to uphold democracy.

In the eyes of the pope, it is not only democracy that is "sick" but the Earth also. The latter is due to not only the world's addiction to dirty energy, as evident in the massive use of fossil fuels and nonrenewable resources, but also injustice, unfair labor relations and the concentration of enormous wealth in a few hands.

The Vatican has declared September as the "Season of Creation", when Pope Francis will call for protection of the Earth and solidarity with victims of environmental disasters and climate change. Although he has not made any reference to Indonesia, his message as a global leader should boost the morale of all groups and individuals who have worked hard and consistently to conserve nature.

The pope's decision to include the world's largest Muslim-majority nation on his apostolic visit to Asia and the Pacific is highly significant for the advancement of interreligious relations in the country, as well as the promotion of interfaith dialogue on the global stage.

Indonesia is deemed to represent moderate Islam, which coexists peacefully with democracy, and where minority rights are protected under the national motto of "Bhinneka Tunggal Ika" (Unity in Diversity). It cannot be denied that Indonesia is a hotbed of terrorist groups aspiring to create a pan-Islamic caliphate in Southeast Asia, but law enforcement has kept them in check so far.

Indonesia is also home to mainstream Islamic organizations, Nahdlatul Ulama and Muhammadiyah, which have been striving to promote Islam as a blessing for the world.

Before leading a congregational service at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Thursday, the pontiff is scheduled to visit Istiqlal Mosque and meet with Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar to demonstrate commitment to interfaith dialogue. Pope Francis is to travel to the region's biggest mosque via an underground tunnel from Jakarta Cathedral.

The 33-meter-long tunnel connecting the two houses of worship was built in 2021 to symbolize the nation's plurality and religious tolerance, and is aptly named Silaturahmi (kinship).

The pope's Indonesia visit was originally planned for 2020 but was canceled due to the pandemic, which resulted in the deaths of 5.4 million people globally, including 144,000 Indonesians.

Pope Francis's Asia-Pacific tour will be the longest yet by the 87-year-old pontiff, who regularly uses a wheelchair, and he is poised to become the second head of the Catholic Church to visit the country after Pope John Paul II in 1989.

Perhaps it is his enthusiasm for spreading the message of peace, justice and humanity that is fueling him to make a tiring journey.

As the country welcomes Pope Francis, Catholics and people of all faiths should be prepared to listen to his wisdom.

Source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/opinion/2024/09/02/papal-message-of-hope.htm