Pope Francis Before Leaving Indonesia: Dialogue, Peace and Hope
On the eve of his departure from Indonesia, the Pope in the Mass celebrated at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium wishes the Indonesian people to always walk the path of dialogue: do not lose your smile and spread peace
The Pope’s latest event in Jakarta is in the sign of giving and receiving affection from the faithful who throng Madya A Stadium, adjacent to Gelora Bung Karno, where he enters after a tour in a popemobile together with Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo, Metropolitan Archbishop of Jakarta, and receiving a greeting from outgoing President Joko Widodo. Then he moves to the second stadium, still smiling as he greets the crowd, about 100,000 present in the two facilities, passes among green, yellow and red caps, among different flags and kisses children while many chant in Italian a chorus, “W Pope Francis.” These are all signs of the outpouring of affection that affected him during the three days he spent in Indonesia.
Builders of hope
On a stage dominated by white and a large Crucifix, the Pontiff celebrated Mass in the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, the largest in the country and boasting a record: it is the brightest in the world. The Pope also speaks of light in his homily when he recalls that man needs a guiding flame that comes from heaven. It is with the strength that comes from the Word and that transforms the heart that Francis asks the Indonesian people to fulfill a task that is great and important but that is also written, as the past shows, in their DNA.
Do not tire of dreaming and building a civilization of peace again! Always dare the dream of fraternity, which is a true treasure, among you! On the Word of the Lord I encourage you to sow love, to confidently walk the path of dialogue, to still practice your goodness and kindness with the typical smile that distinguishes you. Have you been told that you are a smiling people? Please don’t lose your smile and move forward! And be builders of hope.
Benedetta Capelli – Vatican City