Pope Francis calls for peace at a Scholas event in Indonesia: “War between us is always a defeat”

During his visit to Indonesia, the Pope Francis met with young people from the Scholas communityin the city of Jakarta, to discuss the Current challenges and the importance of peaceThere, the Supreme Pontiff recommended that the young people present “discuss” among themselves because it is something that “makes you grow.”

Earlier, Francis was present at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption for the meeting with the Indonesian clergy. He then addressed the event with Scholas to know the “Hati polyhedron project“a sculpture that symbolizes the heart of Indonesia, reflecting the country’s rich cultural diversity,” the organization said.

Pope Francis’ event with Scholas

During the day, various volunteers from the organization brought questions and deep reflections to the meeting. These reflected the Concern among young people about the disconnection between ideas and realitiesas well as by the increasing conflicts in the world.

In this context, Anna Nurawaliaa Muslim volunteer from Scholas who acted as host, said through tears at the beginning of the event: “Today is not just an experience, but an extraordinary transformation for me. For the first time in my life, I visited, entered and became part of a cathedral“A church sanctified by Catholics, miraculously, right in front of me, stood the mosque where I usually worship.”

Francis was present during the testimonies of those present. Thus, the Supreme Pontiff answered the questions of the young people and stressed that “If all things were the same, it would be boring“, although he also warned: “With differences you can make war and you can make dialogue. But you always have to choose the path: What do I do, make war or make dialogue?“.

Another participant, Bryan – a young participant in Scholas’ first educational experience in Indonesia – gave his opinion on differences and dialogue: “In Indonesia we are used to living with our motto ‘Bhinneka Tunggal Ika’, which means that, Even though we are different, we are still one. Or simply, unity in diversity.

Focusing on the debate about differences and dialogue, the Scholas event aimed to address the conflicts generated by diversity. In this sense, those present discussed the discrimination, cyberbullying and the “wanting to please people“that makes us pretend what we really feel.

Along these lines, Christine, another young participant in the Scholas Occurrentes x Tunas Bineka event, shared her reflection: “We all have different problems, some related to discrimination or differences in race and religion. I experienced it first hand; I was cornered and rejected for no reason.” Then, to close her intervention, the volunteer asked the dad about the Peace teaching in times of increasing conflict.

In light of this, Francis stressed that “War is a defeat, war between us is always a defeat”In this sense, the highest representative of the Catholic Church added: “We have options: either we make war or we insult each other or we stop talking to each other or We carry out politics with the open hand of the embrace of fraternal love. Always move forward in dialogue, arguing but always together. “

During the closing, Pope Francis planted a mangrove that represents not only a symbol of the fight against climate changebut also a gesture of peace and unitysimilar to the olive tree that the pontiff has planted at other Scholas events around the world. This plant is crucial to the protection of Indonesian coasts and for the biodiversityand its planting is a clear message about the need to take care of our planet.

Francisco’s visit to Poliedro 3

The polyhedron sculpture was created in 2013 within the framework of the International Movement for Education, launched worldwide by Francis. This symbolizes the heart of the countrysince it represents the Indonesian diversity and is built with natural and recyclable materialsas well as with fabrics that reflect the cultural richness of the country.

Inside the structure you can find a sanctuary keeps personal items, photoswritings, drawings and toys left by all the people who participated in the project.

Pope Francis

Francis will also visit Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

Reuters

The polyhedron “Hati Indonesia“It was not only created as a work of artbut it was also built with the aim of being a symbol of hope, unity and capacity of the Indonesian people to build a future together. During the event, Francis himself shared one of his dreams: a more fraternal world.

After his visit to Indonesia, Francis will continue his tour of Asia that will take him to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. The trip will last until September 13, making it the longest of his papacy to date.