Pope Francis recently visited Jakarta, Indonesia, where he spoke to bishops, priests, and youth on the significance of addressing religious extremism in the world's most populous Muslim-majority nation. During his address, he urged political figures to be vigilant against the deceptive nature of religious extremism, which he believes can lead to violence and a misrepresentation of genuine faith.

In his first speech of a comprehensive 12-day tour of Southeast Asia, where Christians represent a minority within the population, the pope highlighted the Catholic Church's commitment to fostering inter-religious dialogue as a way to mitigate extremism. He addressed around 300 political and religious leaders at Jakarta’s Merdeka Presidential Palace, stating that cultivating an environment of mutual respect is essential for overcoming significant challenges, including the fight against extremism and intolerance.

With a population nearing 280 million and approximately 87% identifying as Muslim, Indonesia's constitution ensures the freedom of religion, further underlining the need for harmony among different faiths in order to counteract the harmful effects of distorted religious ideologies.