Pope Francis: A Journey Through Time and Faith

Pope Francis, elected in 2013 as the first Latin American pontiff, is about to embark on a major tour of Southeast Asia at 87. His papacy exceeds the average duration and includes extensive global travel and major health challenges. He has also canonized over 900 saints and authored significant encyclicals.

Pope Francis, at the age of 87, is preparing for a 33,000-km (20,500-mile) tour across four Southeast Asian countries next week. Elected on March 13, 2013, Francis, formerly Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, became the 266th pontiff and the first from Latin America. His tenure, now over 11 years, significantly surpasses the average duration of 7-1/2 years for a pope. He is also the oldest sitting pope since Leo XIII, who was 93 upon his death in 1903.

Francis' upcoming trip will mark his 45th tour outside Italy. By its conclusion, he will have visited 64 states and territories, covering over 460,000 km (285,000 miles). His first overseas trip as pope was to Brazil in 2013, and he plans to visit Belgium and Luxembourg after his return from Asia.

Pope Francis has faced substantial health issues, including a series of operations for diverticulitis and an abdominal hernia. Despite these challenges, he appears to be in improved health since the end of March 2024. However, mobility problems persist, requiring him to use a cane or wheelchair. His contributions to the Church include canonizing over 900 saints and publishing three major encyclicals addressing faith, climate action, and post-pandemic solidarity.

(With inputs from agencies.)