By Midhun J. Francis, SJ

The Apostolic Visit to Singapore, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Timor-Leste in September 2024 counts as one of the significant events of Pope Francis’s papacy. Given that Indonesia is an Islamic country, encouraging religious dialogue between Islam and Christianity was particularly important during his 12-day visit. His address to civil authorities, religious leaders, and the diplomatic corps in Jakarta focused on themes deeply relevant to Jesuit spirituality: faith, fraternity, and compassion. These three principles serve as cornerstones of Pope Francis’ vision for pastoral engagement, especially within multi-religious contexts. His message offers a pathway to fraternity and peace in a world fraught with division. It also echoes the Jesuit mission of serving others, especially in inter-religious dialogue.

A Commitment to Dialogue and Compassion

Since St. Ignatius of Loyola founded the Society of Jesus, Jesuits have shown an outstanding commitment to interacting with people from all backgrounds, ideas, and points of view. Indeed, the Jesuit approach to interreligious interaction primarily reflects our pastoral dedication to mission. In his address, Pope Francis affirmed that Indonesia is a multicultural country with a great legacy of peaceful coexistence among its numerous ethnic, cultural, and religious groups. He repeated “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”, the national motto of Indonesia, which means“United in Diversity”, to reiterate the commitment to unite despite its diversity. Pope Francis also affirmed that this concept is in line with the worldwide yearning for human fraternity, as well as a fundamental component of Christian-Islamic dialogue. More so, this message underlines the need for faith-based collaboration in advancing peace and justice, which is particularly pertinent for Jesuits, who are sometimes at the forefront of interfaith dialogue.

Inter-religious Dialogue: Building Bridges of Understanding

Pope Francis’s focus on Christian-Muslim inter-religious dialogue is particularly fitting in the Indonesian context, as the population is predominantly Muslim. His pastoral approach calls for creating “bridges of the heart” to unite people rather than merely tolerating the differences of the other. The Pope also advocates for deeper engagement marked by respect, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to the common good of all. His emphasis on mutual respect in interfaith dialogue is a powerful affirmation of the value and dignity of each participant, making them feel genuinely heard and respected. Pope Francis’ remarks echo the spirit of the Second Vatican Council’s Nostra Aetate, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and collaboration between Christians and Muslims. He called for a rejection of “imposing our faith” and instead urged Christians to share the joy of encountering Christ while respecting other faiths. This pastoral sensitivity is crucial in mission-oriented work for pastors, who often serve in regions where Christianity is a minority faith.

Fraternity: A Pathway to Global Unity

Pope Francis emphasized that fraternity is not merely a social ideal; it is also a theological and pastoral necessity. Drawing on the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti, he stressed that true fraternity can only be achieved when we recognize our shared humanity, regardless of religious or cultural differences. He quoted a 20th-century poet who described fraternity as loving each other “as different as two drops of water” - a beautiful metaphor for the Jesuit commitment to finding unity in diversity. In a world increasingly polarized by religious and ethnic tensions, Pope Francis urged civil and religious leaders to pursue fraternity as a remedy to extremism and intolerance.

Compassion: Suffering with the Other

The third pillar of Pope Francis’ message was compassion. Compassion, as he described it, is more than charity or pity; it is a call to suffer with others, especially the most vulnerable. It resonates deeply with Jesuit spirituality and mission as the preferential option for the poor. It also echoes the Ignatian call to embrace the Magis, the “more,” in service to others. Additionally, it enables people to go beyond superficial help to walk alongside those suffering, sharing their hopes and struggles.

Pope Francis also highlighted the importance of compassion in building a just society, particularly in the face of poverty and social inequality. He stressed in his address that genuine compassion requires more than giving alms, as many pious people always do. It demands personal involvement and a willingness to touch the hands and hearts of those in need with care and love. The Pope’s emphasis on compassion also aligns with the Islamic concept of rahma (mercy), which is a key attribute of God in the Quran. In this way, his message bridges Christian and Islamic understandings of compassion, offering a common ground for collaboration in addressing social and humanitarian challenges. This call is also a strong reminder of the necessity for genuine, personal interaction with people on the margins, as we are asked to follow“a preferred choice for the poor”. This is also important for the Jesuits, who are typically involved in works of social justice and advocacy.

Pope Francis’s address on his apostolic journey to Timor-Leste, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesiaconsiders the Church’s position within a society that includes multiple religions. His emphasis on faith, fraternity, and compassion, especially with Islam, provides a road map for Jesuits and other pastoral workers involved in interreligiousdialogue. His message invites for a Church that is open for dialogue and actively attempts to create bridges of understanding and collaboration in a society too often defined by division and intolerance.