Pope’s mass in Indonesia draws over 80,000 attendees, “like Jesus’ presence”

Normally, only presidents and rock stars can pack Indonesia’s main stadium, but on Thursday, Pope Francis, who is eighty years old, managed to draw over 80,000 people to a Catholic Mass in the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

The occasion marked the pinnacle of the 87-year-old pope’s four days in Jakarta, the nation’s capital, which served as the opening leg of a twelve-day journey that also included stops in East Timor, Singapore, and Papua New Guinea.

Among the thousands of Indonesian Christians who flocked to hear the Pope’s stirring homily was Mami Yuli, an Indonesian transgender woman dressed in a glittering outfit and sporting feathered headgear. “The Pope’s presence is like Jesus’ presence,” Mami Yuli said.

“We hope the church and the people can judge us positively given his important message of tolerance,” she continued, referring to the group that is targeted by religious conservatives for prejudice.

“We endure a lot of pressure and that limits our movement as transwomen in Indonesia.”

Gelora Bung Karno Stadium was packed with old people, students, and Catholic nuns dressed in their habits. Church officials reported that 87,000 tickets were given out for the Mass, which took place across the largest archipelago in the world.

The pontiff had earlier signed a proclamation encouraging interfaith cooperation to overcome conflict and addressing climate change at Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque.

In Indonesia, where there are 280 million people, Muslims make up 87% of the population; Christians are a tiny minority. The constitution of the country in Southeast Asia guarantees religious freedom and recognizes six official religions.

The pope exhorted his audience to always aim for fraternity as he spoke from a platform coated in white and featuring a golden cross as the background.

“I encourage you to sow seeds of love, confidently tread the path of dialogue, continue to show your goodness and kindness,” he stated. “Build a community of unity. Be peace builders.”

Francis warned political leaders to be cautious of religious radicalism during his meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo on Wednesday.

To show respect, the government recommended that national broadcasters show the Islamic call to prayer on television instead of displaying it on Thursday afternoon, so as not to interfere with the Mass he was celebrating.

“The most significant thing to me is that he is joyful and humble,” said Sister Maria Ambrosia, who traveled hundreds of kilometers from the Sumatra Island to be present. “I have tons of hope and happiness.”