30-hour trip: The Pope is preparing for the longest trip of his papacy

At the age of 87 years dad He is preparing for the longest journey of his papacy. The Holy See announced today that Francis will travel to… Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore From 2 to 13 September. The choice of destinations still places the suburbs at the centre, according to the report Leitmotif Of the current papacy. The Holy See Press Office bulletin stated that the Pope will be in Jakarta from September 3 to 6, in Port Moresby and Vanimo from September 6 to 9, in Dili from September 9 to 11, and in Singapore from September 11 to 13.

“Cardinal” destinations.

Although they are unusual destinations for the apostolic journey, Bergoglio will find them A cardinal in each country of arrival. He will be received in Jakarta by Cardinal-Archbishop Ignatius Suhario Harjoatmodjo, in Port Moresby by Cardinal-Archbishop John Rabat, in East Timor by Salesian Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, and in Singapore by Cardinal-Archbishop William Goh Sing Chee. at present Not known yet The itinerary of the trip, which will be announced in due course by the Press Office of the Holy See, was also determined today by Director Matteo Bruni.

Upcoming trips

Recently, his health has not been the best, but Francesco continues to show great energy. In any case, the Supreme Pontiff does not intend to give up travel. At the end of April, he will travel to Venice to visit the Holy See Pavilion at the 60th International Martial Arts Exhibition. Venice Biennale. The wing will be established in the Giudecca Women's Prison and will be under the responsibility of Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça in his capacity as Director of the Department of Culture and Education.

But Francis will also meet with the ecclesiastical community of the Patriarchate of Venice, led by the theologian Msgr. Francesco Moralia. The Pope then announced a trip to Belgium, perhaps in September. Meanwhile, ambiguity still surrounds the return to Argentina, which Bergoglio himself spoke about in some interviews, and which according to some rumors was interrupted due to the election of a liberal president. Javier Miley. It was said, in fact, that the economist was not welcome to Francis, who was retaliated against with heavy name-calling during the election campaign. But in February, they were photographed with warm greetings during the Argentine president's visit to his country sanctification María Antonia di San Giuseppe de Paz y Figueroa, known to her compatriots as Mama Antola.

health

In these first months of 2024, Francesco has played several times Breathing problems He was forced to stop reading the speeches prepared for him during the session. Knee problems force him to move around in a wheelchair or with a cane. Last November, doctors convinced him to do so Eliminates The upcoming trip to Dubai to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) which he was very keen on.

In any case, the Pope seems determined not to stop traveling, and so he has decided to commit Transcontinental flight Its duration of 30 hours and time zone 9 will take him to visit 4 different countries.