- Feb 5, 2002
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By embarking aged 87 on the farthest journey of his papacy, Pope Francis is doing something some believed impossible -- and seeking to silence those who doubt his ability to fulfil his role.
The pontiff's 12-day trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore starting next week involves 43 hours of flight time and a distance of 32,000 kilometres (almost 20,000 miles).
It would be something of an odyssey for anyone, but particularly so for someone who has been plagued in recent years by health issues, sparking speculation he might step down as head of the Catholic Church.
The trip was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic, and now takes place just three months before his 88th birthday.
Continued below.
The pontiff's 12-day trip to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore starting next week involves 43 hours of flight time and a distance of 32,000 kilometres (almost 20,000 miles).
It would be something of an odyssey for anyone, but particularly so for someone who has been plagued in recent years by health issues, sparking speculation he might step down as head of the Catholic Church.
The trip was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the Covid pandemic, and now takes place just three months before his 88th birthday.
Continued below.