Pope Francis this week completes nearly two weeks of travel across the Asia Pacific region, a journey across four countries in the world's most populated region. And as the pope so often does, he left both believers and nonbelievers with much to ponder.
In Indonesia, the appearance of the head of the Roman Catholic Church with the imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque reminded the world that, yes, people of different religions can respect one another. Francis and Imam Nasaruddin Umar jointly called for interfaith friendship at a gathering last week featuring representatives of the six officially recognized religions in Indonesia: Islam, Buddhism, Confucianism, Hinduism, Catholicism and Protestantism.
This was a clarion call in a world where religion is used to fuel conflict, both in warfare with accompanying loss of life as well as in toxic cultural battles. As Francis reminded us, "We are all brothers, all pilgrims, all on our way to God, beyond what differentiates us."
The pope, unlike many of his self-professed followers, discussed human dignity, inclusiveness, inter-religious dialogue and the threat to humanity from war and climate change. He was making his case in the most populated region of the world, one where Catholics and other Christians often are the minority. According to U.S. State Department figures, only 3.06% of people are Catholic in Indonesia, while the pope's last stop, Singapore, has around 6.7% of its population as Catholic. Between those two countries, though, the pope visited nations with much larger Catholic populations: Papua New Guinea is about 26% Catholic and East Timor, a whopping 97%. It's one of the most densely Catholic countries in the world.
Catholicism is growing in the region, too, one reason the pope decided to visit. It has been the longest trip of his papacy, an impressive feat for a man who is 87 and facing numerous health problems. Back home in Rome, it's likely Francis will continue asking the people of the world to be kinder to one another, respect each other's differences and join together to save humanity from war and climate change. His example of making friends across religious differences is one people everywhere can follow.
In Santa Fe, faith leaders from various denominations long have come together, whether to host interfaith Palm Sunday services on the Plaza or to direct community gatherings in times of tragedy such as on 9/11. Rabbi Leonard Hellman's memorial service was conducted at the Basilica Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi in 2013. Leaders such as former Cathedral Basilica rector the Very Rev. Jerome Martinez y Alire and United Church senior pastor, the Rev. Talitha Arnold, long led efforts to exchange viewpoints among various congregations. Interfaith efforts — from the Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities — have battled such ills as nuclear proliferation and homelessness.
And that's the message from Pope Francis: Put aside differences and work together to improve our common home, this one Earth.
Globally, that will mean seeking peace, reducing wealth disparities among people and nations, and preserving the environment for humanity's future. The pope also left this message in Singapore, the last stop on his tour: Pay "special attention" to "protecting the dignity of migrant workers." That message needs to resonate in the United States during this increasingly unpleasant campaign season. Here at home in the city of holy faith, our religious and secular leaders should continue their interfaith efforts, whether creating understanding among people or tackling problems on the ground to alleviate suffering. The journey, after all, is easier when we take it together.
The Santa Fe New Mexican observes its 175th anniversary with a series highlighting some of the major stories and figures that have appeared in the paper's pages through its history. The collection also includes archival photo galleries.
