Pope Francis appeals for religious unity at stadium mass in Indonesia

Unity between faiths has been the central theme of his trip and the declaration signed at the Istiqlal Mosque, Southeast Asia’s largest, called for “religious harmony for the sake of humanity”.

“The global phenomenon of dehumanisation is marked especially by widespread violence and conflict. It is particularly worrying that religion is often instrumentalised in this regard,” it read.

“The role of religion should include promoting and safeguarding the dignity of every human life.”

Pope Francis underlined his message of unity in a speech before leaders of Indonesia’s six recognised religions – Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism and Confucianism.

“We are all brothers, all pilgrims, all on our way to God, beyond what differentiates us,” he said.

The pope was welcomed to the mosque by a percussion band often used in Islamic ceremonies.

Once seated, he and Nasaruddin listened to a passage from the Quran recited by a young blind girl and a passage from the Bible.