Cool Breeze for Indonesian Youth – A Brief Reflection Apostolic Visitation of Pope Francis in Indonesia

The Pope Francis Apostolic Visit to Asia Pacific region, become hot topic for Indonesian media and the people itself. Not only because of the simplicity of the Pope that given deep impression and loved by the people, but also because of the message from this Apostolic visitation. 

Indonesia become the 1st country for this visitation, which is related with the message of Pope Francis in his encyclical about the inter-religious and inter-cultural. But this could be seen ironically, because while Indonesia been proud with the implementation of the inter-religious and inter-cultural in the daily lives of the people, the political system in Indonesia still maintaining the benefit of the religious politics. Religions and politic in Indonesia in the unholy nexus since the pre-independent time. From the colonialism that entered through economic and religions, until the latest parliament and presidential election. Indonesian being divided by religions, ethnicity, cultural even economic that being use to gain the vote and power by the politician and the government. So ironically with the message and the objective of the Apostolic Visitation of Pope Francis.

In the recent presidential election, one of the candidate use the quotes from Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si, regarding the ecological sins. But this can be seen just as a lip service, because right after the election time, there are news about religions organizations in Indonesia has been given the rights for managing several mining projects in Indonesia, by the government. Sadly and ironically. And although the Catholic Bishop Conference of Indonesia rejecting the offer, there is no critical statement from the church regarding this issue. And sad to say that Laudato Si for many church in Indonesia is mostly about environmental issue, and rarely to talk about justice and poverty. While the Pope Francis with his simplicity impressed and loved by the Indonesian, there are many religions leaders in Indonesia that live in luxury and maintain their close unholy relationship with politic leaders.

And for the young people in Indonesia, no matter their religions, the message and act of Pope Francis becoming a great example for them about the leadership that embrace and respect the differences with the simplicity. This can be seen in the trend topics of social media in Indonesia during the 3 days visitation. While some research mentioned about intolerance growth among the young people during election time, the message and example brought by this Apostolic Visitation become a cool breeze, and hopefully will bridging the shattered communication among the young people.*