Pope urges to fight extremism during Indonesia trip

(ANSA) - ROME, SEP 4 - Pope Francis on Wednesday, the first full day of his visit to Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim-majority country, warned authorities and civil society against religious extremism and intolerance, which he said distorted religion through "deception and violence".
    "In order to favour a peaceful and constructive harmony which can ensure peace and join forces to defeat imbalances and pockets of poverty that still persist in some areas of the country, the Catholic Church wishes to increase inter-religious dialogue", the pontiff said in his speech to politicians and religious leaders.
    "In this way, it will be possible to eliminate prejudice and to contribute to the growth of a climate of reciprocal confidence and respect, indispensable to fight extremist and intolerance which - by distorting religion - try to impose their views by using deception and violence". (ANSA).