By AC Wimmer
CNA Newsroom, Dec 28, 2024 / 10:00 am
Despite facing health challenges that led to the cancellation of his trip to Dubai for COP28, Pope Francis maintained an ambitious travel schedule in 2024. This year saw him draw large crowds in Asia and make his first-ever visit to Corsica, as well as visiting Belgium and Luxembourg.
Asia-Pacific journey draws historic crowds
The 88-year-old pontiff embarked on his longest apostolic journey with a 12-day tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania in September, where thousands of faithful attended papal events.
In Indonesia, Pope Francis visited the grounds of Jakarta’s Istiqlal Mosque, where he engaged with Muslim leaders to discuss global challenges and signed a joint declaration condemning religious-based violence.
The Pope’s Global Journey: A Path of Interfaith Collaboration and Controversy
During a recent global journey, Pope Francis emphasized the importance of interfaith collaboration in addressing global crises. Speaking to an audience, the Pope highlighted the essential role that cooperation between different faith traditions plays in tackling pressing issues around the world.
One of the highlights of the journey was an outdoor Mass attended by about 100,000 faithful, where the Pope underscored the significance of Catholic engagement in pluralistic societies. In Papua New Guinea, Francis focused on indigenous communities and blessed a new hospital serving underserved populations.
However, the peak of the Pope’s message of hope came in Timor-Leste, where an estimated 750,000 people, nearly two-thirds of the nation’s population, gathered for Mass in Dili. The faithful used umbrellas to beat the heat during the outdoor service, showcasing their dedication and faith.
Papal journey in secular Europe
Despite the positive moments, the Pope’s journey was not without controversy. During his visit to Belgium, Prime Minister Alexander De Croo strongly criticized the pontiff’s comments on abortion. The Pope had referred to abortion as “homicide” and criticized doctors who perform the procedure, leading to sharp criticism from De Croo.
Despite the controversy, the visit to Belgium also marked the 600th-anniversary celebrations of the Catholic universities of Leuven and Louvain-la-Neuve, showcasing the rich history and contribution of Catholic education in the region.
