papal trips

The Latest

Pope Francis waves at the crowd of 1.5 million people who attended the closing Mass of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal on Aug. 6, 2023.

What countries did Pope Francis visit in 2023 and what did he say?

Dec 30, 2023

By Peter Pinedo

Despite advanced age and health challenges, the pope visited six countries on three continents in 2023. Read more

Pope Francis presides over his weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican on Oct. 18, 2023.

Update: Pope Francis to attend COP28 climate change conference in Dubai in December

Nov 2, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis said in a TV interview he will travel to the United Arab Emirates for the second time from... Read more

Pope Francis at the Synod on Synodality on Oct. 6, 2023.

A papal visit to the South Pole? Pope Francis looks to new peripheries

Oct 17, 2023

By Courtney Mares

In a new interview, the pope said someone had recommended he make a visit to Antarctica the next time he’s... Read more

Pope Francis speaks during a meeting with local religious leaders at a memorial dedicated to sailors and migrants lost at sea on the first of a two-day visit to Marseille, France, Sept. 22, 2023.

Pope Francis in Marseille: It’s ‘a duty of humanity’ to save migrants abandoned at sea

Sep 22, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“We can no longer watch the drama of shipwrecks, caused by the cruel trafficking and the fanaticism of indifference,” the... Read more

Catholics from Vietnam at Mass with Pope Francis in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, on Sept. 3, 2023.

Catholics in Vietnam ask Pope Francis to visit their country next

Sep 7, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Vietnam is home to millions of Catholics, yet no pope has ever visited the southeast Asian country. Read more

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5 things to know about Mongolia as Pope Francis prepares for his trip

Aug 28, 2023

By Jonah McKeown

The pope will travel to Mongolia Aug. 31–Sept. 4 to visit one of the smallest Christian communities in the world. Read more

Mongolia is a democratic country sandwiched between the authoritarian powers of Russia and China.

What Pope Francis’ trip to Mongolia could mean for Vatican relations with Russia and China

Aug 27, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope’s upcoming trip could have geopolitical implications beyond the country’s small population of Catholics. Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 22, 2023.

Pope Francis to travel to Mongolia on Aug. 31

Jun 3, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The trip will make Pope Francis the first pope to visit the Asian country that shares a 2,880-mile border with... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims at the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on March 22, 2023.

Pope Francis says he will travel to Mongolia

Apr 15, 2023

By Courtney Mares

A trip to Mongolia would make Pope Francis the first pope to visit the Asian country that shares a 2,880-mile... Read more

Pope Francis at the International Eucharistic Congress in Budapest, Hungary Sept. 12, 2021.

‘Christ is our future’: Vatican announces theme, schedule for Pope Francis’ Budapest trip

Mar 21, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis will travel to Budapest, Hungary, in just over a month for an April 28–30 visit to the capital... Read more

Pope Francis in Budapest, Hungary, on Sept. 12, 2021.

Pope Francis to visit Hungary in April

Feb 27, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis returns to the central European country after a short visit in 2021 for the 52nd International Eucharistic Congress. Read more

Young people from eastern Congo lay down the machetes and knives used to kill their families at the foot of Christ’s cross to symbolize their forgiveness in a moving encounter with Pope Francis during his trip to the country Feb. 1, 2023.

Pope Francis ‘left without words’ after children’s shocking stories of violence in eastern Congo

Feb 1, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The moving encounter with the pope provided a potent reminder of the horrors taking place in eastern Congo. Read more

Pope Francis celebrated Mass with around 1 million people in Kinshasa, DRC, on Feb. 1, 2023.

1 million attend joyful Mass with Pope Francis in Democratic Republic of Congo

Feb 1, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Catholics danced and sang songs, including a chant of “Maman Maria,” which means “Mama Mary” in French, as they awaited... Read more

Pope Francis meets with refugees from Congo and South Sudan before his flight to Africa on Jan. 31, 2023.

Pope Francis meets with refugees from Congo and South Sudan before flight to Africa

Jan 31, 2023

By Courtney Mares

Among the refugees who met with the pope was Bidong, who spent much of his childhood in a refugee camp... Read more

Pope Francis visits the Basilica of St. Mary Major on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, to entrust his upcoming trip to Africa to the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Pope Francis entrusts trip to Congo and South Sudan to Blessed Virgin Mary

Jan 30, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The pope departs Rome on Tuesday morning for the capital city of Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a... Read more

Pope Francis in St. Peter's Square, Sept. 28, 2022

Pope Francis’ trip to Africa rescheduled for February 2023

Dec 1, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis has rescheduled his trip to the African countries of the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan for... Read more

Pope Francis speaking at the general audience on St. Peter's Square, Nov. 9, 2022

Pope Francis: Bahrain trip ‘a new step’ in Christian-Muslim dialogue

Nov 9, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

“The first visit of a pope in Bahrain represents a new step on the journey between Christian and Muslim believers... Read more

Pope Francis attending the closing of the “Bahrain Forum for Dialogue: East and West for Human Coexistence” with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Nov. 4, 2022.

Pope Francis urges Muslim-Catholic collaboration for peace during visit to Gulf kingdom of Bahrain

Nov 4, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Pope Francis met with Muslim leaders in the Gulf kingdom of Bahrain on Friday, saying Catholics and Muslims alike are... Read more

Pope Francis arriving in Bahrain, Nov. 3, 2022

Pope Francis becomes first pope to visit Bahrain

Nov 3, 2022

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis landed in the Kingdom of Bahrain Thursday, becoming the first pope to visit the Muslim island nation located... Read more

Pope Francis greeting pilgrims at the general audience, Oct. 19, 2022

Pope Francis to visit relatives in northern Italy

Oct 19, 2022

By Courtney Mares

The Vatican announced Wednesday that Pope Francis will pay a private visit to his relatives in northern Italy next month. Read more