The Pontiff’s tour of the Asia-Pacific region has come to a successful conclusion with his visit to Singapore, the final stop on a 12-day, 20,000-mile journey.
Pope Francis is wrapping up his tour of the Asia-Pacific region, covering 20,000 miles and including stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore over the past 12 days.
Despite spending much of the time in a wheelchair, the 87-year-old Pope completed over 40 events, showcasing his commitment to leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics.
As Western church membership declines, Asia’s role in preserving and growing the faith is becoming increasingly important.
Indonesia
His first stop in Indonesia highlighted the diversity of the region, with Indonesian police revealing a foiled terror plot allegedly linked to ISIS, underscoring the delicate security situation.
As the largest Muslim country globally, Indonesia welcomed the Pope warmly, demonstrating the importance of interfaith dialogue, a key theme of his tour.
While the call for tolerance was well-received, underlying tensions persist, with some Muslim groups still harboring resentment towards religious diversity.
Indonesia remains a country where different faiths coexist, but challenges like the MUI’s past fatwa on secularism and pluralism continue to pose obstacles.
Papua New Guinea
The Pope’s visit to Papua New Guinea showcased a different side of the region, with a focus on remote villages and the local Catholic community.
Despite logistical challenges, the Pope’s presence drew thousands, emphasizing the importance of unity and peace in a region marked by tribal disputes.
His message resonated with the Catholic population, a minority among traditional Indigenous beliefs prevalent in the country.
East Timor
In East Timor, the Pope addressed a predominantly Catholic nation, emphasizing the country’s ties to the Church and its struggle for independence.
With deep Catholic roots, East Timor welcomed the Pope warmly, underscoring the faith’s influence in the country’s history and development.
The Pope’s visit to these diverse nations highlighted the complexities and richness of the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the importance of dialogue, tolerance, and unity in a rapidly changing world.
In 2022, the Vatican confirmed that it had sanctioned Belo two years before, following allegations from two men who said the Bishop raped them when they were teenagers and gave them money to buy their silence.
While he did not refer to any specific case, the Pontiff told the country’s leaders in its capital city, Dili: “Let us not forget the many children and adolescents whose dignity has been violated.”
He then called on people to do “everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people.”
Authorities came under fire for demolishing homes and evicting dozens of people in the area where the mass was held.
Sept. 12 is the Pope’s second and last day in Singapore. He has been formally welcomed to Parliament, met with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, and called on President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Later, he will celebrate mass at the National Stadium, which is expected to be attended by 50,000 people.
According to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, there are about 395,000 Catholics in Singapore.
