Jakarta, Indonesia — On Wednesday, Pope Francis appeared to be in good spirits and health as he embarked on the first full day of what will be a grueling journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania. The 87-year-old leader of the Catholic Church is set to travel over 20,000 miles in 12 days, visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore.
This trip is expected to be the longest and most demanding of his 11-year papacy. Despite recent health challenges and his use of a wheelchair, the Vatican stated no special precautions were being taken, though as always, Francis is accompanied by a doctor and two nurses.
In an interview with CBS Evening News anchor Norah O’Donnell in May, Francis said he never considered stepping down and described his health as “fine” despite a recent bout with the flu and two intestinal surgeries. He also mentioned that having only one lung since surgery in his youth makes him more vulnerable to respiratory illnesses.
During his first speech in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, Francis condemned religious extremism, stating it misrepresents faith by promoting violence and deception.
“Faith can sometimes be manipulated to create division and foster hatred,” the pope told politicians and religious leaders at the presidential palace in Jakarta. He encouraged them to combat religious intolerance through dialogue.
“Through this approach,” he said, “prejudices can be overcome, and a culture of mutual respect and trust can flourish.”
Indonesia, known for its constitutional protection of religious freedom and its emphasis on diversity and tolerance, has seen growing Islamic fundamentalism and some incidents of religious violence in recent years.
On Wednesday, Francis also gathered with Indonesian Catholic priests and nuns at the cathedral in Jakarta, offering them words of encouragement and support.
On Thursday, he is set to celebrate mass in Jakarta with the country’s Catholic community, a small yet dynamic group that makes up just 3% of the population. The Asia-Pacific region remains one of the few places in the world where Catholicism is expanding, both in terms of baptisms and religious vocations.
The pope is also scheduled to meet with Indonesia’s leading Muslim figure on Thursday. Together, they will sign a joint declaration addressing humanitarian issues, environmental concerns, and religious tolerance.
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