DILI, East Timor. At 87, Pope Francis continues to surprise the world, proving that despite his age and health challenges, he remains a force of energy and inspiration.
On his longest and most distant papal journey, Pope Francis embarked on an 11-day trip through Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. Despite battling sciatica and knee problems, the Pope captivated millions, particularly during his visit to East Timor, where an estimated 600,000 gathered at a seaside park to see him. His response? An unscripted moment filled with warmth and genuine connection.
“How many children you have!” he marveled at the large crowd, which amounted to the biggest-ever turnout for a papal event as a proportion of the population. “A people that teaches its children to smile is a people that has a future.”
This trip, which spanned nearly 33,000 kilometers, had been delayed since 2020 due to the pandemic. After multiple hospitalizations, Pope Francis was determined to finally make the journey, and he did so with enthusiasm. As one observer noted, “Despite his ailments and seven hours of jet lag, Pope Francis still has it in him to inspire.”
In Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population, Francis handled the delicate religious and cultural dynamics with grace. During a meeting with President Joko Widodo, he praised Indonesia’s birthrate, remarking, “Some prefer a cat or a little dog,” a familiar quip from the Pope that has gained attention in previous speeches.
Throughout his trip, Francis remained true to form, often going off-script during engagements with local priests, nuns, and youth. His impromptu speeches and banter energized the faithful, showcasing his unique ability to connect on a deeply personal level.
In Papua New Guinea, he made an extraordinary visit to the remote jungle town of Vanimo, a location thought too difficult for him to reach due to logistical concerns. Yet, in a surprising move, he arrived on a C-130 cargo plane, determined to meet the local community. The visit was marked by a special devotion, with a statue of Argentina’s Virgin of Lujan, his homeland’s patron, placed at the venue, along with a traditional mate gourd.
Pope Francis’ stop in East Timor touched on the sensitive legacy of Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate later sanctioned by the Vatican for abuse. Though the Pope did not directly address the case, he emphasized the Church’s commitment to protecting children from harm, reaffirming the ongoing mission of justice and healing.
In his final stop in Singapore, Francis once again left his prepared remarks aside and engaged in a spontaneous conversation with young people. He urged them to take risks, saying, “What’s worse: making a mistake or staying home? A young person who doesn’t take a risk is an old person.”
His message was clear: age and frailty may weigh on his body, but Pope Francis remains a leader unafraid to take risks, speak from the heart, and reach out to those on the world’s peripheries.
