Pope Francis, the leader of the world Catholic Church, begins an ambitious Asia-Pacific tour on September 3, 2024. The tour will last 12 days and include visits to four countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste, and Singapore. It is the longest and most distant trip Pope Francis has ever made during his papacy, and has several important missions to accomplish.
Visit to Indonesia
Pope Francis' first stop is Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim country. The pope arrived in Jakarta on September 3 and will spend three days in the country. One of the main agendas in Indonesia is strengthening interfaith dialogue. The pope will visit the Istiqlal Mosque and the Cathedral Church in Jakarta, two adjacent places of worship and symbols of religious harmony in Indonesia.
Strengthening Relationships
On September 4, Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with President Joko Widodo at the Presidential Palace. This meeting is expected to strengthen relations between the Vatican and Indonesia. In addition, the Pope will also meet with representatives of the six official religions in Indonesia: Islam, Protestantism, Catholicism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism.
On September 5, Pope Francis will lead a grand mass at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium attended by more than 80 thousand Catholics. This is a historic moment because Pope Francis is the third pope to visit Indonesia after Pope Paul VI in 1970 and Pope John Paul II in 1989.
Visit to Papua New Guinea
After leaving Indonesia, Pope Francis will continue his journey to Papua New Guinea on September 6. In this country, the Pope will visit the capital, Port Moresby, and the small town of Vanimo. Papua New Guinea is a country with a majority Christian population, especially Protestants. However, this country is also known for its rich culture and local traditional rituals.
Pope Francis will focus on environmental issues during his visit to Papua New Guinea. The country has been plagued by deforestation and natural disasters. The pope is expected to call for environmental protection and support conservation efforts in the country.
Visit to Timor Leste
On September 9, Pope Francis will arrive in Timor Leste, a small, predominantly Catholic nation in Southeast Asia. The visit is especially significant for Timor Leste because Pope John Paul II visited the country in 1989, when it was still part of Indonesia.
In Timor Leste, Pope Francis will meet with the President and Prime Minister and lead a mass in Dili, the capital. The Pope will also visit several social projects supported by the Catholic Church, including schools and hospitals.
Visit to Singapore
The final stop on Pope Francis' Asia-Pacific tour is Singapore. The pope will arrive in the city-state on September 11 and spend two days there. Singapore is a country with high religious diversity, and the pope is expected to strengthen interfaith dialogue during his visit.
Pope Francis will meet religious leaders from various communities in Singapore and visit several places of worship, including the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd and the Sultan Mosque. He will also meet with the President and Prime Minister of Singapore to discuss global and regional issues.
Mission and Hope
Pope Francis has several main messages he wants to convey during his Asia-Pacific tour:
- Interfaith Dialogue : One of the Pope’s main focuses is strengthening interfaith dialogue. In Indonesia, for example, the Pope will visit the Istiqlal Mosque and the adjacent Cathedral Church as symbols of religious harmony. The Pope hopes his visit will promote peace and interfaith cooperation in the region.
- Environmental Protection : Pope Francis also highlighted the importance of environmental protection. In Papua New Guinea, the Pope will speak about environmental issues such as deforestation and natural disasters, and support conservation efforts.
- Social Empowerment : In Timor Leste, the Pope will visit social projects supported by the Catholic Church, including schools and hospitals. This demonstrates the Church's commitment to social empowerment and community well-being.
- Strengthening International Relations : Pope Francis also wants to strengthen relations between the Vatican and countries in the Asia-Pacific. Meetings with state leaders such as President Joko Widodo in Indonesia and other leaders in the countries visited are part of this effort.
Conclusion
Overall, Pope Francis hopes that his visit will bring a message of peace, unity and hope to Catholics and the general public in Asia-Pacific. Pope Francis hopes that his visit will bring a message of peace, unity and hope to Catholics and the general public in Asia-Pacific. The tour is also expected to strengthen relations between the Catholic Church and other religious communities in the region.
With great enthusiasm and dedication, Pope Francis embarks on this long journey with the hope of bringing positive change and strengthening interfaith ties in the Asia-Pacific. May this visit be the first step towards a more peaceful and harmonious world.
