From Sept. 2 to 13, Pope Francis traveled to four Asia Pacific countries – Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. It was the lengthiest and farthest trip of his tenure.
The Asia-Pacific tour was particularly challenging for Pope Francis, who will turn 88 in December and has struggled with his health. Pope Francis had part of one lung removed in his younger days due to a respiratory infection and currently uses a wheelchair. In November last year, he had to cancel a trip to Dubai for the annual U.N. climate conference because of his declining health.
The COVID-19 pandemic derailed the original plan for the Asia-Pacific tour to take place in 2020. A doctor and two nurses accompanied the pope throughout his tour amid concerns over the impact of the ambitious itinerary on his health.
Pope Francis’ trip to the Asia Pacific region highlights the region’s importance for the Catholic Church. The Asia Pacific is one of the few regions in the world where the Catholic Church continues to grow in baptized faithful and religious vocations. Meanwhile, with this trip, Pope Francis is only the third pope to visit Indonesia, which has the largest population of Muslims in the world. His visit to Indonesia highlights his commitment to interfaith dialogue and a desire to improve the relationship between the Christian and Muslim communities. Pope Francis also emphasized outreach and religious inclusivity throughout his tour.