Pope Francis has embarked on a two-continent campaign.
Pope Francis traveled to four countries in Asia and Oceania on a private plane from Fiumicino International Airport in Rome, Italy, at 5:33 p.m. on the 2nd (local time).
It will take a total of 12 days to arrive in Jakarta, Indonesia on the 3rd, pass through Papua New Guinea and East Timor, and complete all schedules in Singapore on the 13th. The flying distance alone amounts to 32,814 kilometers.
This is the 45th visit to the private tree since he ascended the throne in 2013, and the longest in history during Pope’s reign.
Previously, an eight-day visit to Cuba and the United States in 2015 was the longest journey.
“Today, I am going on an apostolic tour to several countries in Asia and Oceania,” the pope wrote in X ahead of his departure, adding, “Please pray for the fruits of this journey.”
During the trip, the Pope will preside over more than 40 events, traveling about 33,000 km. All four countries hold outdoor mass.
It is a tough timetable for the Pope, who will turn 88 in December. The Pope had his lungs removed as a teenager and had knee and back pain to walk.
In December last year, he attempted to attend the United Nations Climate Conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), but canceled his participation due to bronchitis.
There has never been a pope in the past who has gone on a long or long trip like Francis.
His predecessor Benedict XVI resigned himself at 85, and John Paul II died at 84.
The Associated Press reported that two medical teams, consisting of doctors and nurses, will accompany the Pope on his trip with health concerns.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said, “The Pope is in good health,” adding, “We have not taken any special precautions.” The slogans for the upcoming papal trip include faith, brotherhood, and compassion (Indonesia) prayer (Papua New Guinea) indigenous culture and tradition (East Timor) unity and hope (Singapore).
Like the slogan, the pope is expected to emphasize dialogue and reconciliation by meeting and consoling those who live in various races, cultures, and religious beliefs but suffer discrimination and persecution on the grounds of faith.
The pope is also expected to call for a joint global response to climate change.
The pope’s first stop is Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population in the world.
The pope will visit major mosques (Islamic mosques) in the capital Jakarta and also tour the ‘Friendship Tunnel’ connecting Istikural Mosque and Jakarta Cathedral.
This tunnel refers to the underground tunnel connecting the two buildings, symbolizing Indonesian religious harmony.
Pope Francis will meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and hold a massive outdoor Catholic Mass at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta. In Papua New Guinea, he plans to meet missionaries from Argentina, the Pope’s home country.
The pope is expected to deliver a message of the climate crisis here, mentioning issues such as rising sea levels, increasingly serious heat waves and typhoons.
The pope then travels to East Timor to hold the same Mass on the beach promenade where former Pope John Paul II held the Mass in 1989.
East Timor was ruled by Indonesia during John Paul II’s visit. The pope’s visit helped spread the East Timor’s will to independence throughout the world.
The pope’s last stop is Singapore, where the proportion of Chinese people is 74%.
The Associated Press predicted that this visit to Singapore will be another opportunity as the Vatican seeks to improve relations with China.
Some interpret that the pope’s trip reflects Asia’s growing position in the Catholic Church.
In fact, unlike the gradually decreasing number of believers in Europe and North America, South America, Africa and Asia, where fertility rates are high and new believers are increasing, have become new homes for Catholicism.
“It shows the strategic importance of Asia,” said Shihoko Goto, director of the Indo-Pacific at the Woodrow Wilson Center, a US think tank.
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
