Pope Francis will visit Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore in September, as announced by the Vatican on Friday. This trip will last for 12 days and cover 30,000 kilometers, making it his longest journey since being elected in 2013. It will be the first trip abroad in a year and a significant physical test for the 87-year-old pope, who has faced health issues in recent months that forced him to cancel participation in several events.
The pope will begin his tour with a visit to Jakarta from September 3 to 6, then move on to Papua New Guinea, followed by East Timor and Singapore, according to a statement from Matteo Bruni, the director of the media office at the Vatican.
The announcement follows concerns about the pope's health during Easter, as he appeared tired and canceled his participation in the Holy Week ceremonies, delegating others to deliver his homilies due to bronchial inflammation. In the past two years, the pope has had to use a wheelchair and has faced a series of health issues, particularly related to his knee, hip, colon, and breathing problems.
The anticipated flights, exceeding 30 hours, an eight-hour time difference, and a series of meetings and numerous masses are expected to pose a significant physical challenge for the head of the Catholic Church.
