Pope Francis Trips

Pope Francis will embark on an 11-day trip on Sept. 2, 2024. that will bring him to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste (East Timor), and Singapore. During this longest journey of his pontificate so far — which includes numerous events in the largest majority-Muslim country on earth, Indonesia — the pope is expected to emphasize themes of interreligious dialogue, solidarity, and peace.

The Latest

Pope Francis arrives at Luxembourg Airport on Thursday, Sept. 26, 2024, the first stop in a four-day tour of Luxembourg and Belgium, two historically Christian countries in Europe, both of which are experiencing steep declines in religious adherence amid the spread of secularization.

In a secularized Luxembourg, Pope Francis tells Catholics to evangelize Europe

Sep 26, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Before flying to the neighboring country of Belgium on the afternoon of Sept. 26, the 87-year-old pope spent one day... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to Archbishop William Seng Chye Goh (left) after he elevated him to cardinal during a consistory to create 20 new cardinals on Aug. 27, 2022, at St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican.

Pope Francis’ visit to Singapore ‘has revived the faith of our people,’ cardinal says

Sep 17, 2024

By Andrés Henríquez

Cardinal William Goh, archbishop of Singapore, hailed the positive results of the recently concluded papal visit to his country. Read more

A worshipper waves the flag of China as Pope Francis leaves following the weekly general audience on June 12, 2019, at St. Peter's Square at the Vatican.

Pope’s Asia visit draws attention to Holy See’s delicate China diplomacy

Sep 16, 2024

By AC Wimmer

As the Vatican-China deal nears renewal, Pope Francis’ Asia tour sparked debate on the future of the Holy See’s ties... Read more

A picture taken on March 27, 2019, shows a scaffold during the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral, in Paris.

Pope Francis will not go to Paris for Notre Dame cathedral reopening

Sep 13, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On the plane back to Rome after his journey to Asia and Oceania, Pope Francis definitively ruled out visiting Paris... Read more

Pope Francis speaks to journalists aboard the papal plane during an in-flight press conference on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024, on his return from his nearly two-week tour of Southeast Asia.

Pope Francis: U.S. presidential election a choice between ‘the lesser evil’

Sep 13, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Speaking aboard the papal plane, Pope Francis encouraged U.S. Catholics to vote with their conscience in the upcoming Nov. 5... Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the Dili Convention Center in East Timor, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024.

Pope Francis leaves East Timor: ‘I’ll never forget your smiles’

Sep 11, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ event with young adults was his last stop in East Timor before flying four hours to Singapore for... Read more

Pope Francis blesses children at the Irmas Alma School in Timor-Leste on Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024

Pope Francis in East Timor says children show us how to ‘be cared for by God’

Sep 10, 2024

By Kristina Millare

“This is what one finds here: love. Without love this cannot be understood. And so we understand the love of... Read more

Pope Francis arrives at the meeting with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, seminarians, and catechists in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Dili, East Timor, Sept. 10, 2024.

Catholics in East Timor welcome Pope Francis to their island ‘oasis’ of religious vocations

Sep 10, 2024

By Courtney Mares

In East Timor, a country where 98% of the population is Catholic, Pope Francis was met with great enthusiasm on... Read more

Pope Francis arrives in East Timor on Sept. 9, 2024.

Pope Francis arrives in East Timor, Asia’s youngest and most Catholic country

Sep 9, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Francis is the first pope to visit East Timor since it gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, becoming the first... Read more

Pope Francis wears a traditional head dress as greets a young girl in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, Sept. 8, 2024.

Pope Francis in Papua New Guinea: Put love before superstition, fear

Sep 8, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

After celebrating Mass in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Sept. 8, the pope traveled 620 miles by air to... Read more

Pope Francis celebrates Mass at Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Sept. 8, 2024.

Pope Francis’ Mass in Papua New Guinea: ‘Open yourselves to the joy of the Gospel’

Sep 7, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Papua New Guinea on Sunday, urging openness to God and others while praying for peace... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Caritas Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Sept. 7, 2024.

Pope Francis asks Papua New Guinea Catholics to spread the Gospel to ‘peripheries’

Sep 7, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis called on Catholics in Papua New Guinea to continue to bring the Gospel to the most marginalized and... Read more

A man stands in front of a poster of Pope Francis outside APEC Haus in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, to welcome the Roman pontiff, Sept. 7, 2024.

Pope Francis urges stewardship of Papua New Guinea’s resources, peace among tribes

Sep 6, 2024

By Courtney Mares

In his address to officials in Port Moresby, Pope Francis called for responsible use of natural resources, an end to... Read more

The population of Papua New Guinea is currently 30% Catholic, with growth at a rate of 40,000 baptized each year.

Some people in Papua New Guinea walked 3 weeks to see Pope Francis

Sep 6, 2024

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

Some people even came from the Solomon Islands, about 885 miles to the east in the South Pacific.  Read more

Pope Francis is welcomed in Papua New Guinea on Sept. 6, 2024.

Pope Francis arrives in Papua New Guinea amid report of arrests in Indonesia

Sep 6, 2024

By Kristina Millare

As Pope Francis arrives in Papua New Guinea, Indonesian police report they detained seven individuals in connection with a foiled... Read more

East Timor’s President José Ramos-Horta and Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva,speak to EWTN News in Depth in August 2024, ahead of the visit by Pope Francis.

How the Catholic faith has helped East Timor forgive

Sep 6, 2024

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ visit to East Timor highlights the Catholic Church’s vital role in the nation’s journey of reconciliation and peace. Read more

Pope Francis speaks to religious leaders on the grounds of Indonesia's national mosque in Jakarta, Indonesia, Sept 5, 2024.

Pope Francis and grand imam sign joint declaration at Indonesia mosque

Sep 5, 2024

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis signs interfaith declaration at Indonesia’s largest mosque, promoting religious harmony and condemning violence. Read more

Pope Francis speaks at the Istana Negara Presidential Palace Hall in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2024.

Pope Francis: Indonesia’s high birth rate is an example for other countries

Sep 4, 2024

By Kristina Millare

The 87-year-old pontiff said the diverse nation’s high fertility rate should be an example for other countries around the world.  Read more

Pope Francis participates in a meeting at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Jakarta on Sept. 4, 2024, with bishops, priest, religious, seminarians, and catechists.

Pope Francis invites Indonesia’s Catholics to share ‘joy of encountering Christ’

Sep 4, 2024

By Courtney Mares

“Proclaiming the Gospel … [means] giving and sharing the joy of encountering Christ always with great respect and fraternal affection... Read more

Pope Francis speaks next to Indonesian President Joko Widodo at a meeting with the authorities, civil society, and the diplomatic corps in Jakarta on Sept. 4, 2024.

Pope Francis begins Indonesia visit with call for Catholic-Muslim dialogue

Sep 4, 2024

By Courtney Mares

On Francis’ first full day in Indonesia on Wednesday, the pope called upon the political leaders to protect the country’s... Read more