Pope Francis begins the longest trip of his pontificate to Asia and Oceania on 2 September, Monday, at around 5:32 p.m. (Rome time) for Jakarta (Indonesia). This will be the longest trip of his pontificate, until September 13, and he will also visit Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore, thus visiting two continents: Asia and Oceania.
The Vatican Press Office reported that on Monday afternoon, shortly before 4:00 p.m., “about 15 homeless men and women, accompanied by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, Pontifical Almoner, visited Pope Francis at the Casa Santa Marta,” shortly before beginning his journey.
Vatican News reported on Monday that Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Secretary of State, will not travel with the Pope to Indonesia following the death of his mother.
During the longest trip of his pontificate so far — which includes numerous events in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, Indonesia — the pope is expected to emphasize themes of interreligious dialogue, solidarity and peace.