Pope Francis embarked on a landmark tour of Southeast Asia in September 2024, undertaking the longest international journey of his papacy. Spanning an impressive 12 days, the pontiff's itinerary encompassed visits to four diverse nations: Indonesia, East Timor, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.
Interest in Asia
This Asian tour took place amid several key developments, summarized as follows:
1- A special focus on Asia:
Pope Francis has demonstrated a clear goal of enhancing the Vatican's international relations, particularly with the Global South and the Islamic world, especially Sunni-majority countries. Initially scheduled for 2020, this tour was delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Notably, Pope Francis's approach to Asia differs from that of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who, being of European origin, did not visit Asia at all during his papacy.
It is worth highlighting that Asian countries play an increasingly important role in choosing the next pope through the College of Cardinals. In a historic move, cardinals from Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore have been appointed for the first time, granting about 21 Asian cardinals voting rights in the papal conclave out of 124 votes.
The significance of the Asia-Pacific region is underscored by the growing number of both Catholic Church followers and clergy. Since his election in 2013, Pope Francis has actively encouraged stronger ties with Asia. This commitment is evident in his numerous long trips to the region, including visits to South Korea, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Japan, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Myanmar, and Thailand.
2- Vatican’s tense relations with China:
Despite the diplomatic momentum between Asian countries and the Vatican, relations with China remain complex and challenging. This tension stems primarily from the Chinese Communist Party's policies, which resist the Vatican's role in the Chinese Catholic Church. Like other religious institutions in China, the church is controlled by the party, while the Vatican insists on its right to appoint church leaders in the country. Further complicating matters, the Vatican does not recognize China and maintains diplomatic relations only with Taiwan.
Pope Francis' Asia tour coincides with a critical juncture: the upcoming renewal of the 2018 secret agreement between the Vatican and China regarding the Pope's right to appoint bishops in China. This agreement, now up for its third renewal, remains a sensitive and contentious point in Vatican-China relations.
3- Adopting a diplomacy of meetings:
In contrast to his predecessor, whose approach strained relations between the Vatican and the Islamic world, Pope Francis has pursued dialogue and a diplomacy of meetings. This led to the signing of the Human Fraternity Document in Abu Dhabi, UAE, in 2019 with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmed Al-Tayeb, who had previously severed ties with the former pope. This approach reflects Francis’s ongoing efforts, particularly in Indonesia.
Strengthening Harmony
This extensive papal tour, the longest in the papal history, was driven by several motives and produced a range of outcomes, which can be outlined as follows:
1- Promoting interfaith dialogue:
One of Pope Francis's primary foreign policy objectives is to deepen interfaith dialogue, particularly with Sunni Muslims. This goal motivated his choice of Indonesia as one of the stops on his tour, given that the country is home to the world's largest Muslim population. The significance of this visit is underscored by the strained relations that existed under his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, whose 2006 speech implied that Islam was a religion of terrorism and violence.
As the third pope in history to visit Indonesia, Francis made a historic trip to the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. There, he spoke eloquently about the shared roots of different religious beliefs, emphasizing common ground rather than differences. The visit culminated in the signing of an official declaration on religious harmony with Indonesia's Grand Imam, further cementing the Pope's commitment to interfaith understanding.
2- Addressing climate change:
Climate change remains one of Pope Francis's key messages, consistently prioritized in his foreign policy. He adeptly links this global issue to problems in developing nations, such as poverty and resource exploitation by wealthier countries, highlighting the interconnected nature of environmental and social justice. During his visit to Papua New Guinea, the Pope addressed this critical topic, emphasizing its urgency and global impact.
In a powerful demonstration of interfaith cooperation on environmental issues, Pope Francis issued a joint declaration with Indonesia's Grand Imam and other religious leaders, calling for decisive action to combat global warming. This collaborative approach underscores the Pope's belief in the power of unified voices to effect change. Furthermore, his praise for Singapore's climate efforts, describing the nation as a model for others, serves to encourage and inspire other countries to take similar action.
3- Reconciliation about sexual abuse crimes of the Catholic Church:
The issue of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, particularly in East Timor, has stirred controversy due to the actions of certain clergy. During his visit, Pope Francis expressed sympathy for the victims, mostly children and teenagers. However, he did not issue a formal apology, which disappointed many. The Pope also addressed broader issues of peace and reconciliation in East Timor, a country scarred by the atrocities of the Indonesian occupation. In his sermon, he emphasized the importance of peaceful reconciliation, connecting the themes of healing from abuse and national reconciliation.
4- Inclusion of Chinese clergy:
Clergy from Hong Kong participated in the Mass in Singapore, where prayers were offered in Chinese. However, there was no official mainland Chinese presence. It is important to note that the Hong Kong diocese operates independently from the mainland Chinese church, with its cardinal appointed directly by the Vatican.
On his return flight after the tour, Pope Francis expressed positive sentiments about China, calling it a "promise and hope" for the Catholic Church. He reiterated his desire to visit China someday and mentioned ongoing positive dialogue with Chinese clergy to negotiate the renewal of the 2018 agreement. The Pope expressed optimism for fruitful negotiations in good faith.
Vatican spokesperson Matteo Bruni noted that the Pope was not expected to fly over Chinese or Taiwanese airspace during his journey to and from Singapore. This detail is particularly relevant in light of the Pope's last mass in Mongolia in September 2023, where a group of Chinese Catholics attended without public acknowledgment of their presence.
5- Commenting on the U.S. elections:
Pope Francis criticized both U.S. presidential candidates—Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump—without naming them directly. He condemned their policies as "anti-life," referencing the Democrats' support for abortion and the Republicans' anti-immigration stance. The Pope likened the choice between the two candidates to a "choice between two evils." This commentary echoes his 2016 remarks on Trump's plans to build a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border, when he stated, "A person who thinks only about building walls, wherever they may be, and not building bridges, is not Christian."
6- Justice and combating poverty:
During his stay in Singapore, Pope Francis addressed the issue of fair wages for migrant workers. He emphasized that these workers, numbering more than a million, form the backbone of Singapore's economy, which is grappling with an aging population. The Pope called for special attention to be given to the poor, the elderly, and the dignity of migrant workers.
In response to the Pope's comments, Singapore's Ministry of Manpower stated that wages are determined by the market and not the government, noting that they do not set a minimum wage. The ministry also affirmed that labor laws are in place to ensure fair treatment and protection of migrant workers' rights and well-being.
7- War in Palestine:
In a press briefing after the Asia tour, Pope Francis touched on the Gaza and West Bank conflict. He affirmed his daily engagement with a Vatican school in Gaza that houses around 600 people, both Muslims and Christians. The Pope hinted at the possibility of the Holy See intervening in mediation efforts to broker a ceasefire. Additionally, he praised the efforts of Jordan's King Abdullah II, calling him a "man of peace," thus linking the conflict to broader regional peace efforts.
Enhancing Status
This tour and its outcomes carry several significant implications, along with the reactions and repercussions it has sparked. These can be summarized as follows:
1- Vatican’s aspiration to enhance its standing in the Global South:
Drawing on his Latin American origins, Pope Francis has increasingly focused his foreign policy priorities on the Global South and marginalized, remote communities. While his relationship with Europe has faced several challenges, most of his foreign trips—including this recent one—have primarily targeted peripheral countries, rather than those with traditional ties to the Catholic Church. In a paradigm shift, Pope Francis has directed major religious orders toward the Global South and appointed leaders from these regions to high-ranking positions within the Church, including papal and academic roles. These efforts aim to break the traditional European framework surrounding the Catholic Church.
When Pope Francis was elected in 2013, 60 out of 117 cardinals eligible to vote in the papal conclave were European. Since then, he has strategically reshaped the Church's leadership to be more oriented toward the Global South. He has doubled the number of Asian cardinals who will participate in the next conclave, reduced the number of Italian cardinals by one-third, and lowered the number of North American voters from 20 to 16. Simultaneously, he increased the number of Latin American electors from 13 to 19, reflecting his commitment to rebalancing the Church's leadership.
2- A potential prelude to a visit to China:
Pope Francis' visit and his positive remarks about China have led some observers to speculate that this might pave the way for a possible papal visit to the country. Such a visit would be seen as a major victory for the Catholic Church, potentially mending the rift caused by the Chinese Communist Party's challenge to the Church's authority regarding the appointment of bishops in China—a country projected to have the largest Christian population by 2030. The Pope's ultimate goal is to unite Catholics globally, including Chinese Catholics, under the umbrella of the Vatican.
Estimates indicate that the Chinese Communist Party is closely monitoring these developments, as they contradict its policies rejecting the role of religion in the public sphere. The Party remains wary of any external entity, such as the Vatican, posing a challenge to its authority in managing the relationship between the Church and the state.
3- Taiwan’s concerns:
Taiwan fears that it may pay the price for any agreements between China and the Vatican, which rejects the "One China" policy and recognizes the island's independence. Currently, the Vatican is the only European state that officially recognizes Taiwan. The island nation is concerned that its relationship with the Vatican could be harmed, or that the Holy See might abandon its recognition if it moves toward normalizing relations with Beijing. Consequently, some Taiwanese are now calling on the Vatican to adopt dual recognition of both China and Taiwan, seeking a compromise that would maintain their diplomatic ties.
4- Improving the image of the Catholic Church:
In light of the criticisms and accusations directed at the Catholic Church, particularly regarding sexual abuses committed by its clergy in East Timor, the pope's failure to apologize for these violations has contributed to ongoing criticism. This lack of acknowledgment undermines the global stature and authority sought by the pope and the Catholic Church. Furthermore, the Timorese government's preparations for the papal visit have drawn additional criticism due to the extravagant allocation of resources. With costs reaching $12 million for the visit and approximately $1 million for building a special altar for the papal mass, these expenditures seem particularly inappropriate at a time when the country continues to grapple with severe poverty.
Despite these controversies, some estimates suggest that this visit carries several messages that the pope aimed to convey. Firstly, it serves as a reaffirmation of the unity of all Catholics worldwide, particularly between the pope and Asian Catholics, acting as a response to his opponents, especially within Europe. Additionally, the Pope used this opportunity to encourage local Catholics to actively engage in addressing pressing global issues, including climate change, social justice, and sustainable development.
In conclusion, this papal visit to Asia reflects numerous political considerations that extend beyond religious frameworks, delving into the complex dynamics of political interactions in the region. It highlights the growing role of Asian churches in the electoral college which selects the pope's successor, a development that not only diminishes the Western European monopoly over the church but also increases the influence of the global South within it. Furthermore, the future prospects of relations between the Vatican and China remain one of the most significant determinants of the Catholic Church's role both regionally and internationally. Importantly, the implications of these relations are not confined to the religious sphere alone; they may also significantly impact the delicate dynamics of the ongoing conflict between China and Taiwan.
