Pope Francis Concludes Asia Tour in Singapore

Pope Francis is currently on a significant tour of Southeast Asia, recently visiting East Timor, where he celebrated a historic mass attended by around 600,000 people, symbolizing hope for the country's young democracy. His visit is particularly poignant as it marks the first time a pope has officially visited East Timor since it gained independence in 2002, following years of Indonesian occupation. The pontiff emphasized reconciliation and urged political authorities to address issues of clerical sexual abuse, a topic of concern in the region. Following his time in East Timor, he is set to continue his journey in Singapore, where he will speak on topics such as inter-faith dialogue and climate change, drawing an expected crowd of 55,000 at a mass. During his travels, he has also engaged with Jesuits, including a heartfelt meeting with a 103-year-old priest who has served in East Timor since the occupation. The government's significant financial investment in the pope's visit has drawn criticism given the country's economic challenges.