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Jakarta, Indonesia—Pope Francis appealed Wednesday for religious unity to counter extremism and intolerance, as the longest tour of the 87-year-old’s papacy got into full swing in Muslim-majority Indonesia.
“In various regions, we see the emergence of violent conflicts, which are often the result… of the intolerant desire to let one’s own interests, one’s own position, or one’s historical narrative prevail at all costs,” he said.“Freedom and tolerance is what Indonesia, together with the Vatican, wants to spread… in the midst of an increasingly turbulent world,” he said.
Catholics represent fewer than three percent of the population of Indonesia—about eight million people, compared with the 87 percent, or 242 million, who are Muslim. The pontiff appeared refreshed when he arrived in Jakarta from Rome on Tuesday, and again when he met Widodo on Wednesday morning in the first major set piece of his tour.
He was greeted by Widodo and Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto, the country’s president-elect who will take office next month.As he left the palace, dozens waiting outside tried to chase his car. The pope will on Thursday host a mass at the country’s 80,000 national football stadium, which Catholics are expected to pack out.
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