Pope Francis to Preach Action on Climate Change in Asia

The Pontiff, 87, will visit several Asian countries over 12 days.

Pope Francis at the site of the former Ermineskin Residential School during his papal visit to Canada on July 25, 2022 in Maskwacis, Alberta. (Cole Burston/Getty Images).

Pope Francis has left for an ambitious 12-day tour of Asian countries. From Sept. 2 to Sept. 13, he will travel nearly 33,000 kilometres (20,500 miles) through Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. This will be Francis’ 45th foreign trip since his election in March 2013.

It is the most extended trip yet for the Pontiff, who, at 87, is regularly forced to use a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. A doctor and two nurses will accompany him.