Pontiff lands in Jakarta before travelling on to Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore over 12 days
The pontiff left Rome on Monday afternoon and landed in Jakarta just before midday Indonesian time, the first stop in a 12-day voyage that will also take in Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.Covering about 32,000km , the tour – the longest and farthest of his 11 years leading the worldwide Catholic church – will test Francis’s increasingly fragile health. In recent weeks the pontiff has appeared in good spirits.
The pope has repeatedly urged the world to do more to combat climate change and mitigate its effects – including rising sea levels, which threaten the heavily polluted megalopolis of Jakarta. The country’s religious affairs ministry has hailed the visit as a symbol of Indonesia’s religious diversity. Despite Indonesia’s official recognition of different faiths, there are concerns about growing discrimination, including against Christians, with local Catholics hoping the pope will speak out.
Francis will meet the outgoing president, Joko Widodo, during his visit and hold meetings with young people, diplomats and clergy. He will also preside over a mass in an 80,000-seat stadium, one of several such events during the tour, the 45th overseas trip of his papacy.
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