Pope Francis Begins 12-Day Asia-Oceania Tour

Pope Francis has embarked on his longest trip since becoming the head of the Catholic Church, covering 20,000 miles over 12 days to visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. This journey, which includes over 43 hours of air travel, aims to promote inter-religious dialogue and environmental protection, key themes of his pontificate. Despite his advanced age and health challenges, Francis is committed to engaging with distant Catholic communities and addressing issues like climate change and refugee care. Highlights of the trip include a significant interfaith meeting in Jakarta and discussions on climate challenges in the visited countries. The visit underscores the Catholic Church's growing focus on Asia and its diverse religious landscape.