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Jakarta (Agence Fides) - The photo of the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, bending down to tenderly kiss the head of Pope Francis in his wheelchair - during his trip to Indonesia in September 2024 - is one of those images that remain etched in the memory of the Indonesian people because it expresses their deepest spirit and soul. Today, Nasaruddin Umar is Minister of Religious Affairs and, on the occasion of Pope Francis' passing, he wanted to remember him as “one of his dearest friends.” “I express my deepest condolences on the passing of Pope Francis. We cannot forget his service and friendship,” the Minister said.
During his tenure as Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Umar signed the Istiqlal Declaration with the Pope on September 5, 2024. On that day, he introduced Pope Francis to the faithful present in the mosque, describing him as a “symbol of unity for humanity.” On behalf of all the Indonesian people, Umar expressed words of comfort to Indonesian Catholics mourning the passing of Pope Francis, urging them “to remain patient and trust in God during this difficult time.”
“Now we hope that the cooperation between Indonesia and the Vatican and the willingness to dialogue pioneered by Pope Francis will continue,” he said, recalling the Istiqlal Joint Declaration on ”Consolidating Interreligious Harmony for Humanity.”
The meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque was one of the most intense of Francis' Indonesian trip. The Pope stopped at the entrance to the “Friendship Tunnel,” an underpass connecting the mosque to the Catholic cathedral of Jakarta, which stand opposite each other, separated only by a road, in the same city square.
Recalling the special attention that Pope Francis has given to the elderly and the “least among us,” in recent weeks the tunnel has been made accessible to the elderly and disabled, equipped with elevators at both entrances. The tunnel, which is 28 meters long, 4 meters wide, and 3 meters high, is a passageway of great symbolic value that connects the two places of worship and allows for an easy exchange of visitors and worshippers. It “aims to strengthen harmony in society, as well as to increase collaboration between religious communities to achieve a just and prosperous society,” say the authorities. The Pope appreciated it and described it as a symbol of strengthening brotherhood.
Even the most important Islamic organizations in Indonesia, a country of 280 million inhabitants, 90% of whom are Muslim, wanted to express their appreciation and remember Pope Francis with affection. Nahdlatul Ulama, the largest Indonesian Islamic organization with about 40 million members, wrote in a message of condolence: “Pope Francis was tireless in the work of the Catholic Church in protecting and defending humanity.” Muhammadiyah, the second largest Muslim association in Indonesia, wrote in a message of condolence: “We hope that the inspiration and steps taken by Pope Francis for humanity and peace will become a stimulus for large-scale world peace.”(PA) ( Fides Agency 24/4/2025)
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