ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT — Pope Francis left Singapore for Rome on Friday (Sept 13), after a demanding trip across Southeast Asia and Oceania in which he urged action on climate change, pressed for interfaith dialogue, and reinforced the Catholic Church's presence in a region where it is a small minority.

The Singapore Airlines flight carrying the Catholic pontiff and his entourage took off around 12.25pm in Singapore and is due to arrive in Rome on Friday evening, after a 12-hour flight through six time zones.


 Pope Francis gestures to the faithful, at the end of the Mass at the National Stadium in Singapore on Sept 12, 2024. PHOTO: Reuters


Francis visited Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore over a span of 12 days. The 87-year-old Pope, who in recent years has suffered bouts of ill health, appeared in good form throughout the trip, maintaining a packed schedule and headlining more than 40 events.

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