Pope Francis, Indonesian Grand Imam Issue Joint Statement on Dehumanization and Climate Change

Pope Francis, on a historic visit to Indonesia, joined forces with the country’s Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar to issue a joint declaration addressing two critical global crises: dehumanization and climate change, CNN reports.

The statement, signed at the Istiqlal Mosque, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, highlighted the “alarming” levels of violence and conflict plaguing the world, often fueled by the instrumentalization of religion. The document emphasizes the essential role of religion in upholding human dignity and safeguarding the lives of all, particularly women, children, and the elderly.

On the pressing issue of climate change, the declaration warned that human exploitation of the natural world has resulted in “destructive consequences,” including natural disasters, global warming, and unpredictable weather patterns. These consequences, the statement asserted, impede the harmonious coexistence of people across the globe.

Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, underscores his commitment to building bridges with other faiths. The trip comes amidst a global rise in religious extremism and the need for interfaith dialogue.

The pontiff’s visit to the Istiqlal Mosque, situated next to Jakarta’s Catholic cathedral, symbolized the shared values of peace and understanding between different faiths. The pope also visited the “tunnel of friendship,” an underpass connecting the two places of worship.

The visit has also outlined the challenges facing Indonesia’s Catholic minority, which comprises about 8.6 million people in a predominantly Muslim nation. The 87-year-old Pope, currently on the longest trip of his pontificate despite facing health challenges, is scheduled to hold a mass at Jakarta’s National Stadium on Thursday, expected to be attended by 80,000 people.

After concluding his visit to Indonesia, the Pope will travel to Papua New Guinea, the second leg of his 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, which also includes East Timor and Singapore.