Jakarta, Indonesia — Pope Francis appeared in good health and good spirits Wednesday on the first full day of what will be a marathon trip for the 87-year-old leader of the Catholic Church to Southeast Asia and Oceania. In 12 days, Francis will travel more than 20,000 miles and visit four countries: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
It is set to be the longest and most challenging journey of Francis’ 11-year papacy. He has struggled with health problems in recent years and now uses a wheelchair.
The Vatican said no special precautions were taken for the trip, but as is customary, Francis traveled with a doctor and two nurses.
In a conversation with CBS Evening News anchor and editor in chief Norah O’Donnell in May, Francis said the idea of resigning had never occurred to him and he described his health as “fine”, despite a recent bout of the flu and two rounds of bowel surgeryThe Pope also has only one full lung since undergoing surgery as a young man in Argentina that left him susceptible to respiratory illness.
In his first speech in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim country, Francis condemned religious extremism, saying it distorts religion through deceit and violence.
“There are times when faith can be manipulated to sow division and increase hatred,” the pope told Indonesian politicians and religious leaders gathered at the presidential palace in Jakarta, urging them to combat religious intolerance through dialogue.
“In this way,” he said, “prejudices can be removed and a climate of mutual respect and trust can grow.”
Freedom of religion is protected by the Indonesian constitution and the country prides itself on its diversity and tolerance. However, Islamic fundamentalism has gained ground and there have been incidents of religious violence in recent years.
On Wednesday, Francis also met with Indonesian Catholic priests and nuns at the cathedral in Jakarta, where he offered encouragement and support.
On Thursday, Francis is scheduled to celebrate Mass in Jakarta with the country’s Catholics, a small but vibrant minority of just 3% of the population. The Asia-Pacific region is one of the few places in the world where Catholicism is growing, both in terms of baptized believers and vocations.
The pope is also expected to meet Indonesia’s top Muslim leader on Thursday, when the two will sign a joint statement on humanitarian and environmental issues and religious tolerance.
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