Pope Francis Concludes Historic 12-Day Southeast Asia Tour

Pope Francis concluded his historic 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania, marking a significant milestone in his papacy. The pontiff's journey, which spanned Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, focused on addressing climate change, fostering interfaith dialogue, and reinforcing the Catholic Church's presence in regions where it represents a minority.

The tour, which ended on September 13, 2024, saw the 87-year-old pontiff maintain a rigorous schedule, participating in over 40 events despite his recent health challenges. This journey stands as the longest of Francis' papacy and one of the most extensive in papal history, covering nearly 33,000 kilometers.

In Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic state with over 17,000 islands and the largest Muslim population globally, Francis issued a joint declaration with the national grand imam, calling for global climate action. This move underscored the Pope's commitment to environmental issues and interfaith cooperation.

The pontiff's visit to Papua New Guinea, known for its cultural diversity with over 800 indigenous languages, included a notable trip to a township of 12,000 people on the jungle's edge. Here, Francis delivered hundreds of kilograms of essential supplies, including medicines, clothing, and children's toys, demonstrating the Church's commitment to humanitarian aid.

One of the tour's highlights occurred in East Timor, where Francis celebrated Mass with an estimated 600,000 attendees—nearly half of the country's 1.3 million population. This event marked one of the largest turnouts, proportional to a country's population, for a papal Mass in history. East Timor, which gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, is 96% Catholic, making it the only Catholic-majority country on the Pope's itinerary.

In Singapore, one of the world's leading financial hubs, Francis advocated for fair wages for the country's million-plus lower-paid foreign workers, addressing economic inequality in this prosperous city-state.

Throughout the journey, the Pope, who suffers from knee and back pain, utilized a wheelchair but maintained all scheduled appointments. This resilience showcased his dedication to his role as the leader of the 1.4-billion-member global Catholic Church.

"This job is not easy."

This spontaneous comment to a group of young people in Papua New Guinea offered a rare glimpse into Francis' perspective on leading the Church, emphasizing his need for prayers and support.

As the second pope to visit three of the four countries on his itinerary, Francis continues to prioritize trips to regions never before visited by a pontiff or where Catholics are a minority. This approach aligns with the Catholic Church's operation of the world's largest non-governmental school system, extending its reach and influence globally.

The Pope's journey, traversing six time zones, concluded with a 12-hour flight from Singapore to Rome, bringing an end to a tour that not only strengthened the Church's presence in Southeast Asia and Oceania but also reinforced Francis' commitment to global issues and interfaith dialogue.