Link to article: https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/not-easy-pope-francis-leaves-rome-after-12-day-asia-trip-2024-09-13/
Pope Francis, representative of the Vadican City in Rome, has officially wrapped up his tour of Southeast Asia. He toured for the span of 12 days (the longest of his papacy and almost any papacy) visiting the countries of Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. Even though Pope Francis had prior health issues, and risks of traveling with his older age of 87 years, he appeared to be healthy and lively throughout the tour. Besides from his use of his wheelchair which was used in travel due to his constant back pain. Pope Fancis had a packed schedule, and ended up headlining in 40 separate events over the 12 days. Some of his events included: a trip to a small town of 1,200 bordering the jungle of Papua New Guinea and the celebrating of mass in East Timor. Throughout the tour he urged people to take action against climate change and pressed for increased interfaith dialogue- meaning the positive interactions between peoples of different religions.
This tour prioritized places that had minority of Catholics making Pope Francis the first to ever do this. East Timor which is 96% catholic was the only Catholic majority state the Pope visited. Indonesia has a predominantly Muslim population, half of Papa New Guinea’s population is protestant, and Singapore’s main religion is Buddhism. One major focus within the religion of Christianity is to share the faith and ‘grow the kingdom’. By visiting places not as exposed to Catholicism the Pope is working to complete that goal.
Along with that, not only did this tour reinforce Catholic prominance in places where it had been weakening and help Catholics who had been neglected by previous Popes feel seen, but it also showed action of what the Pope had been premoting throughout his tour- interfaith dialogue. The Pope would be hipocritical if he were to encourage his fellow believers to do something that he himself was not. Going to areas of the world where faith and religion cause huge conflicts and promoting peace between them could influence a more peaceful lifestyle in between religions, at least from the catholicism perspective. Seeing a major leader promote peace could leave lasting impacts on a portion of the world that fights over religion constantly. Peace is never a guarantee, but the Pope seems to be helping the cause through his papacy.
Vadican City is considered an alternate state. Although they do not have their full statehood they still have large amounts of influence, and affect the world as a major player. This proves that States are not the only players in the game of international relations. The fact that the Pope still has power and influence proves that point even further. By looking at interactions between state and non state actors we can how there are many different things we must consider while looking into international relations, adding in more levels and intricacies to the worlds connections.