The surprising welcome of the Lebanese people, whom Leone XIV praised for the “simplicity” of their faith. They recognised him as a “man of God full of zeal and compassion”. Beirut's efforts to make peace with Israel (and the US). A land of encounter between Islam and Christianity, it must also become a pioneer of Christian unity.
Originally from Flores Island and the Verbite superior general until a few weeks ago, Mgr Paulus Budi Kleden began his term as archbishop of Ende on 22 August. On the eve of the pope's arrival in the country, he talked to AsiaNews about expectations surrounding the visit, as well as the missionary face of the Indonesian Church, which currently has its own priests and nuns serving evangelisation in dozens of countries around the world.
The testimony of an Indian religious of the Missionaries of the Immaculate from the first country in Oceania that will welcome the Pope in a week's time. Life on the most remote islands, the hand of God in trials and dangers, the challenge of truly bringing the Gospel inside traditional cultures, the need for new missionaries. ‘Living here has filled me with immense joy: the simple people here have inspired me, showing me the beauty of humility and the joy of daily life.’
Presenting the imminent arrival of the pontiff, the Archbishop of Jakarta announced that on 5 September there will be a declaration together with the Grand Imam of the mosque, in the spirit of the Abu Dhabi document. Having reached the maximum capacity of 88,000 faithful for the Mass in the stadium, many more will follow it via streaming in the parishes. To facilitate travel, the Jakarta Authority has decreed a smart-working day for all offices.
The city-state that awaits the arrival of Pope Francis has for the first time launched a retraining plan for low and middle-level professional workers, who are most exposed today to the hardships created by the economic upheavals linked to international crises. From April 2025, subsidies of 6,000 Singapore dollars for six months, accompanied by training activities.
On 4 September, the Pope will meet 200 Indonesian students at the ‘Grha Pemuda’ Youth House. The organisation - wanted in Argentina by Bergoglio - will launch the Scholas Citizenship programme, in collaboration with the Indonesian government and the Global 5P Movement, to train young people through its educational methodology, promoting a culture of encounter.
Demonstrations in several cities across the country just days before Pope Francis' visit. An attempt to reform regional elections to allow the president's 29-year-old son to run for governor of Central Java State and block the outgoing governor of the capital's reelection is in the crosshairs. Tensions around Parliament, turned into a “battleground” for a few hours.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam was received in audience at the Vatican, during which the two underscored the importance of this crossroads in Asia as a place of interfaith harmony. Meanwhile, a diocesan app will be up and running tomorrow to apply for tickets to the Mass scheduled for 12 September at the National Stadium. Groups of faithful are also expected from the dioceses of neighbouring Malaysia.
The symbolic images of the papal visit in September to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore were released today. The mottos call for fraternity, prayer, and outreach to local cultures, but also closeness to persecuted Christians in the region.
The Holy See has officially announced the long journey to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. Card Goh of Singapore hopes the pope will bring to his predominantly Chinese city, “renewed fervour to all Catholics [. . .], especially in these most challenging of times”. It will also be the first time a pontiff visits Dili since independence. For Card Carmo da Silva, the Holy Father comes to “strengthen Timor-Leste’s Church in the faith and love of Christ.”
On the same day that Pope Francis praised Mongolian culture and traditions, the authorities in China’s Inner Mongolia region, where a fifth of the population is Mongolian, described them as “historical nihilism” in the name of sinicisation. The words Francis addressed to the Chinese people in Ulaanbaatar were banned in China, with no coverage in official media.
Before departing Ulaanbaatar, the pontiff blessed the House of Mercy where Mongolia’s small Church will welcome the marginalised. This will be the legacy of the pope’s historic visit and provide an opportunity to “reject certain myths” about charitable work. Christians do not engage in social outreach to proselytise; “only love can overcome selfishness and keep this world going.”
The small Church of Mongolia that is currently meeting Pope Francis is closely connected to the Diocese of Ningxia in China, home until three years ago of the only Mongolian (underground) bishop in the history of the Catholic Church. Known in Chinese as Ma Zhongmu, he was jailed for 11 years for refusing to join the Patriotic Association. After the Cultural Revolution, he sought out each one of his scattered flocks. He translated the Bible and the Roman Missal into Mongolian.
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