Pope commences 12-day voyage in Asia, commencing in Indonesia.
Francis is set to cover around 32,000 kilometers by air and spend around 43 hours in the air. Initially planned for 2020, the journey had to be postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will now take place three months prior to Francis' 88th birthday.
Indonesia primarily follows Islam, with Catholics accounting for less than 3% of the population. Recognized religions or denominations in the country include Protestantism, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucianism among others.
On a Thursday, Francis will interact with representatives from all six faiths in the Istiklal Mosque. As the largest mosque in Southeast Asia, it represents religious harmony and is connected to a cathedral through a "Friendship Tunnel" situated across the street. In recent days, visitors have snapped selfies featuring a life-size cutout of the Pope.
Within the mosque, the Pope will pen a declaration alongside Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, addressing the "dehumanization" stemming from violence, conflicts, and environmental damage. The Pope has consistently advocated for tougher measures against climate change.
Security measures will be at an all-time high during Francis' three-day stay in the archipelago of 17,500 islands, with over 4,000 security personnel deployed. This marks the third papal visit to the region, with Paul VI visiting in 1970 and John Paul II in 1989.
Local Indonesian newspaper "Jakarta Post" described the visit as significant in fostering interreligious relations not only in Indonesia but other countries as well. Despite Indonesia's recognition of various religions, concerns have surfaced about potential discrimination against Christians.
Recently, the possibility of the Pope embarking on such a taxing journey would have seemed implausible. Speculations around the Pope's health have surfaced in the Vatican, with some suggesting that Francis might step down like his predecessor, Benedict XVI.
During Easter, the holiest Christian celebration, Francis had to cancel various engagements due to a persistent flu. Months before, bronchitis forced the Pope to cancel a visit to the UN climate summit in Dubai. Last year in June, Francis underwent surgery for a tear in his abdominal wall tissue.
The Pope is consistently accompanied by his personal doctor and caregiver during his trips. There are no plans for any alterations in this regard for the upcoming trip, according to Vatican sources. They underscored that Francis' health has been robust, with no concerning developments this summer. During a recent African trip, the Pope was accompanied by an ambulance entirely.
Despite facing health challenges in the past, such as a persistent flu during Easter and bronchitis before a UN climate summit visit, the Pope's health remains robust, according to Vatican sources. Therefore, I'm not expecting any changes in the Pope's usual travel arrangements for his upcoming trip.
