THE Association for Welfare, Community and Dialogue, which strongly values dialogue among civilizations, welcomes Pope Francis’s visit to Asia, a continent with diverse religious beliefs and practices. 

Pope Francis is making his 45th apostolic journey from September 2 to 13, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. This marks his return to Asia in 2019, when he visited Thailand and Japan.  

The upcoming 12-day trip will be the Holy Father’s longest trip abroad throughout his 11-year papacy. 

During his visit, Pope Francis will meet with young people, the elderly and the sick, children with disabilities, government officials, bishops, priests, religious, and missionaries, and hold interreligious dialogues. 

The culture of encounter is very significant today especially in Asia where major religions like Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism have their origins, besides facing challenges of coexistence in the context of emotion-laden ethno-religious identity politics. 

The plight of minority communities is critical in this context. 

Asia’s complexity and treasure of ancient wisdom makes it a viable continent for inter-civilisational dialogue, through the life and realities of common people in certain contexts of respective countries. 

The importance of mutual respect among cultures and common understanding on what constitutes justice in diverse societies are critical areas where dialogue is imperative. 

This comes in the context of Asia where there is superpower rivalry.  

The United States and China are creating competing visions for a region that does not adhere to the underlying principles of major religions in Asia that teach freedom, justice, solidarity, harmony, and coexistence. 

The presence of Pope Francis with other religious leaders could highlight the injustice that comes with global hegemonic tendencies of big powers, ideological colonisation, and extreme identity politics affecting certain countries in Asia. 

Therefore, it is hoped that the visit of Pope Francis to Asia would encourage a culture of encounter and dialogue. 

This should lead to mutual respect, peace, and justice that is in solidarity with the common people. 

It is hoped that these values will flourish and take root in the hearts of the younger generation in Asia. – September 3, 2024.  

* Ronald Benjamin reads The Malaysian Insight.  

* This is the opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insight. Article may be edited for brevity and clarity.