Pope Francis begins historic apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania
Pope Francis has embarked on his 45th Apostolic Journey, marking his longest trip abroad to date.
The pontiff landed in Jakarta, Indonesia, at 11:19 AM local time following a 13-hour flight from Rome’s Fiumicino International Airport. This journey, covering Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore, highlights the Pope’s commitment to promoting interreligious dialogue and human fraternity, according to Vatican News.
Upon arrival, the Holy Father was warmly welcomed by local officials and the faithful. The visit to Jakarta, the first leg of a 12-day tour, is notable for its focus on fostering connections across diverse faith communities. Pope Francis is expected to engage in various public and private activities, including an interreligious meeting at the Istiqlal Mosque and a Mass for the Catholic community.
The Pope’s visit to Indonesia is significant as the country, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, has a large Catholic minority, approximately 8 million strong. This visit underscores Indonesia’s reputation for religious tolerance and coexistence. Cardinal Ignatius Suharyo Hardjoatmodjo of Jakarta highlighted the country’s unique religious dynamics, including the interfaith marriages and the presence of Catholic priests from diverse religious backgrounds.
The Pope’s agenda includes a series of high-profile events and engagements throughout the region. Following Jakarta, Pope Francis will travel to Papua New Guinea, where he will address issues such as climate-related natural disasters and poverty. This will be his return to the country 40 years after Pope St. John Paul II’s visit. In Papua New Guinea, the Pope will hold a Papal Mass and meet with children affected by the recent earthquake.
Next, the pontiff will visit Timor Leste, a predominantly Catholic nation, where he will celebrate Mass and meet with children with disabilities. Timor Leste’s Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva has emphasised the urgency of addressing youth migration due to poverty and unemployment.
The final stop of the journey will be Singapore, an affluent island nation with a notable Catholic community. Here, the Pope will participate in an interreligious meeting and celebrate Mass at a Catholic junior college.
Throughout his journey, Pope Francis’s motto, "Faith, Fraternity, Compassion," will guide his interactions and address local issues, reflecting his ongoing mission to promote unity and understanding across cultures and religions.
The Apostolic Journey represents a profound commitment to addressing global challenges while reinforcing the Catholic Church’s dedication to fostering peace and solidarity in diverse communities around the world.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
