Pope’s Visit a ‘blessing’

Pope Francis and those accompanying him prepare for the two-week Apostolic Visit to four nations in the Maritime region of Southeast Asia beginning on Monday, 2 September. Awaiting the Holy Father with anticipation: the Archbishops of Jakarta, Port Moresby, Dili and Singapore. They send their appreciation for the Pope’s Visit, as every Visit of his is “both unique and refreshing”, noted the President of the Federation of the Asian Bishops’ Conference, in hopes that this Visit will “bring about a renewal in the life and faith of the Churches in Asia”. The Papal Trip will commence in Indonesia, followed by Papua New Guinea and East Timor, ending in Singapore on Friday, 13 September. The nations and their dioceses perceive the visit across various themes ranging from faith, fraternity and compassion, to unity and hope, as well as may your faith be your culture. Local Churches in the countries welcome the Pope’s presence, hoping it will bring peace to the regions’ Christians. Pope Francis will visit priests, religious and non-religious, as well as children with disabilities who are marginalized, as an act of bringing something that is good, something that unites all.

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