Pope Francis to embark on Asia-Pacific tour; to visit Indonesia's 'tunnel of friendship'
Pope Francis Jakarta visit
Pope Francis will next week visit Indonesia, making a symbolic stop at a mosque that has the "Tunnel of Friendship," an extraordinary tunnel linking it to the city's Catholic cathedral.
This visit is part of the pope's 12-day Asia-Pacific tour.
Tunnel of Friendship
The "Tunnel of Friendship," measures 28.3 metres, and it connects Southeast Asia's largest Mosque, the Istiqlal Mosque, with the Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral.
It was built in 2020 by the Indonesian government as a symbol of religious unity, a cause close to Pope Francis'heart throughout his 11-year papacy.
)
'No one is immune': Netanyahu hints at eliminating Khamenei, vows 'Tehran won't obtain a nuclear weapon'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Prince Al-Waleed is called Saudi Arabia’s 'Sleeping Prince' and has he finally woken up?
)
Trump administration resumes foreign students’ visas - but there’s a catch
)
Israel-Iran war: Can US really destroy Iran’s Fordow nuclear site with 'bunker buster bomb'? Trump isn’t sure
)
What is Iran’s 'China assisted' Sejjil missile used for first time against Israel?
)
'Washington called first': US, Iran held direct talks multiple times since Israeli strikes - What did they talk about?
)
Inside Israel's killer truck that took out 'Iran's Oppenheimer' - How Mossad killed Iran's nuclear mastermind Mohsen Fakhrizadeh
)
IDF says missiles launched from Iran towards Israel, residents asked to take shelter
)
Drunk passenger pulls woman's hair, is zip tied after maniacal episode on flight in New York
)
Greatest player in Wimbledon? Roger Federer could have won 12 titles if not for Novak Djokovic
)
Strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake strikes off Japan’s Hokkaido coast
)
'Trump knows the game': Netanyahu says US can decide to join Iran war but Israel can carry out entire mission alone
)
'Doomsday plane' E-4B, a nuclear holocaust bunker, seen in Washington as Iran-Israel war intensifies
)
'Today, it’s Tel Aviv. Tomorrow, it’s New York': Netanyahu says US must back Israel or face Iran’s wrath next
)
Scientist suggests Egyptian pyramids were 'ancient ports', built near a Nile branch that disappeared
)
Israel-Iran war: How much time does it take for Iran's ballistic missiles to reach Israel? Less than what you think
)
Tehran will pay 'heavy price', warns Netanyahu after missiles hit hospital, cause severe damage
)
Israel-Iran war: How Israel built nuclear weapons and kept them a secret for decades? The elaborate deception that fooled the US and world
)
Israel Iran war: Did you know that Iran has one of the largest missile and drone arsenals in West Asia? Detailed breakup here
Pope's Asia-Pacific tour
Pope Francis' visit to Indonesia marks the beginning of the longest trip of his papacy.
His itinerary, as per the news agency Reuters, also includes Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
The long tour with its demanding schedule, as per the report, has raised concerns about his health.
During his Jakarta visit, Pope Francis will attend an interfaith meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque and tour the tunnel, which features art inscribed on its walls and windows allowing natural light. While the tunnel is not yet open to the public, it symbolises the harmony between the two faiths.
Also read |US confirms Israeli-American Hersh Goldberg-Polin among Gaza hostage remains, Biden condemns Hamas
Nasaruddin Umar, the grand imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, expressed his enthusiasm,"It's extraordinary that the Catholics' number one figure is coming," adding, "Whatever your religion is, let's respect our guest."
Rev. Thomas Ulun Ismoyo, an Indonesian church official, said that the Pope will meet outgoing President Joko Widodo and hold a mass service. The gathering, at a Jakarta stadium, is expected to draw over 80,000 attendees.
(With inputs from agencies)