In Indonesia, Transgender Women Celebrate Pope Francis’ Visit and Catholic Support

A group of trans women accompanied by a Catholic priest welcome Pope Francis as he visits Indonesia

As Pope Francis makes an apostolic visit to four Asian countries, the transgender community in one of those nations is celebrating his arrival and the support they have received from Catholics.

The pope is now part-way through his twelve day journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore, where he is focusing on themes of faith, fraternity, and compassion. As Francis met with church and civil leaders in Indonesia, and celebrated Mass for nearly 700,000 attendees, The New York Times reported on trans women who welcomed him with joy:

“The group of trans women in South Jakarta were putting on their Sunday best. They wore feathers, silk, glitter and long eyelashes. Every one of them draped a rosary around their neck.

“‘Pope Francis deserves our best outfit,’ Elvi Gondhoadjmodjo said, as the group got ready to catch a glimpse of the pope on Thursday during his visit to Indonesia.

“For many trans women living on the fringes of society here, the Catholic Church is a safe haven, and Pope Francis, with his messages of tolerance and openness toward the L.G.B.T.Q. community, has become a personal hero. They were excited by his four-day visit.

“‘When we got Francis as the Pope, I realized that God was really listening,’ said Mami Yuli, the leader of the community and a devout Catholic who has a likeness of a rosary tattooed on her chest. ‘This is not the Pope but God himself visiting us.'”

Indonesia’s pastoral leaders who minister with transgender people also celebrated Pope Francis. Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta has instructed clergy that transgender people must be welcomed in parishes. This attitude has taken root with Fr. Agustinus Kelik Pribadi, a pastor in South Jakarta, telling The Times that, “Pope Francis has called for us several times not to judge them. . .We must listen.” Pribadi mentioned he often goes to a salon with the women for haircuts.

In Indonesia, trans women in Jakarta have celebrated Pope Francis’ visit

This inclusive attitude has led dozens of trans women in Jakarta to be received into the church in the past few years. The cathedral in Jakarta hosts a monthly prayer meeting for 50-plus trans women. Separately, the church hosts counseling meetings on Zoom for trans people each week.

Gondhoadjmodjo entered the church two years ago and is now very involved with the parish. She explained, “When I go to the church nobody judges me. . . That makes me more sure I want to be a Catholic.”

Being LGBTQ+ is still not widely accepted in Indonesia, however. Though there is a deep respect for difference in the Muslim-majority country, trans people face intense discrimination at times, and many are unhoused or forced into sex work. Some church leaders remain opposed to greater inclusion, too.  The Times reported that the aforementioned group of trans women were turned away by police from the stadium where Pope Francis was celebrating Mass.

These challenges in church and society, however, have not blunted esteem for the pope. One of the women, Mami Yuli, explained:

“‘For us, L.G.B.T. people in Indonesia, there is never someone as high profile who sends a message of inclusiveness. . .He is much braver than the other popes before him. . .His message is a message of love and to pay attention to the little people.'”