VATICAN CITY – Excitement is in the air as Pope Francis embarks on the longest trip of his pontificate with a visit to Indonesia. With hopes of encouraging the local Catholic community and celebrating the tradition of interfaith harmony in the country with the world’s largest Muslim population, the Pope arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday.

After a long flight from Rome, Pope Francis was welcomed on the tarmac by two children wearing traditional clothes who presented him with a colorful bouquet of vegetables, fruits, spices, and flowers.

The Pope is set to rest for the day to recuperate from the long journey before beginning his packed 11-day itinerary that will also take him to Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. Despite his age, the 87-year-old pontiff will meet with a group of refugees, migrants, and sick individuals later in the day at the Vatican residence in Jakarta.

The highlight of the visit will be an interfaith meeting at Jakarta’s iconic Istiqlal mosque, where representatives of six officially recognized religions in Indonesia will gather to promote peace and tolerance.

While Indonesia is known for its religious tolerance, recent flare-ups of intolerance have tainted its image. Despite this, the Pope’s visit is welcomed by many, including Eldy, a retired government worker, who expressed his support for the visit.

With only 3% of the population being Catholic, Indonesia is home to the third-largest Christian community in Asia. The Pope’s visit is highly anticipated, with thousands expected to attend his events, including a Mass at Jakarta’s main stadium.

Stay tuned for updates on Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia as he addresses important issues such as caring for the environment, conflict resolution, and ethical economic development.

Let us all welcome Pope Francis as he embarks on this journey to promote peace, harmony, and understanding in the diverse nation of Indonesia.