Jakarta, Indonesia — Pope Francis appeared in good well being and good humor Wednesday on the primary full day of what is going to be a marathon journey for the 87-year-old chief of the Catholic Church to Southeast Asia and Oceania. Over 12 days, Francis is scheduled to journey greater than 20,000 miles and go to 4 international locations — Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
It’s scheduled to be the longest and most difficult journey of Francis’ 11-year papacy. He has suffered well being points over the previous few years and now makes use of a wheelchair.
The Vatican mentioned no particular precautions have been being taken for this journey, however, as common, Francis was touring with a physician and two nurses.
Talking with CBS Night Information anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell in Might, Francis mentioned the thought of stepping down had by no means occurred to him, and he described his well being as “nice” regardless of a latest bout with the flu and two rounds of intestinal surgical procedure. The pope has additionally had just one full lung since present process surgical procedure as a younger man in Argentina, leaving him prone to respiratory sickness.
In his first speech in Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim nation, Francis condemned non secular extremism, saying it distorted faith by utilizing deception and violence.
“There are occasions when religion may be manipulated to foment divisions and enhance hatred,” the pope advised Indonesian politicians and spiritual leaders gathered on the presidential palace in Jakarta. He urged them to battle non secular intolerance via dialogue.
“On this approach,” he mentioned, “prejudices may be eradicated, and a local weather of mutual respect and belief can develop.”
Non secular freedom is protected by the Indonesian structure and the nation prides itself on its range and tolerance, however Islamic fundamentalism has made inroads, and there have been incidents of non secular violence in recent times.
Francis additionally met Wednesday with Indonesian Catholic clergymen and nuns on the cathedral in Jakarta, providing phrases of encouragement and assist.
On Thursday, Francis is scheduled to have fun mass in Jakarta with the nation’s Catholics, a tiny however vibrant minority of barely 3% of the inhabitants. The Asia Pacific area is likely one of the few areas of the world the place Catholicism is rising, each when it comes to baptized devoted and in vocations.
The pope can be anticipated to satisfy Thursday with Indonesia’s prime Muslim chief, and the 2 will signal a joint declaration on humanitarian and environmental points, and spiritual tolerance.
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