Pope Francis has landed in Jakarta, Indonesia, marking the start of his longest and most distant trip to the Asia Pacific region. During the 12-day visit, he plans to emphasize environmental concerns and promote interfaith dialogue. His journey will also include stops in Papua New Guinea, Singapore, and Timor-Leste—the latter being the only predominantly Catholic nation among the four.

This ambitious trip comes as the Pope, who will turn 88 in December, continues to grapple with ongoing health challenges. The Asia Pacific region remains one of the few areas where the Catholic Church is experiencing growth in both baptisms and religious vocations.

Originally set for 2020 but delayed due to the pandemic, parts of the trip will echo the travels of St. John Paul II, who also visited these nations during his papacy. On Monday, the Pope posted on X, “Today I begin an Apostolic Journey to several countries in Asia and Oceania. Please pray that this journey may bear fruit.”

Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has consistently called for the Church to extend its reach to marginalized communities, often referred to as “the periphery.” He is only the third pope to visit Indonesia, home to the world’s largest Muslim population.