Robert Viñas / Wikimedia Commons
CV NEWS FEED // Throughout his papacy, Pope Francis embarked on travels that bridged communities both within Italy and across the world, as his ministry led him on journeys ranging from brief, intimate visits to extended tours across multiple countries.
His international travels began with his first official trip to World Youth Day in Brazil in 2013, where he celebrated and connected with thousands of young Catholics.
The following year, he undertook a historic journey to the Holy Land, visiting Jordan, Israel, and the Palestinian territories. This trip set the tone for his global outreach, emphasizing peace, reconciliation, and interfaith dialogue across a region marked by conflict.
In 2015, he made headlines with a dual visit to Cuba and the United States, meeting with Cuban leader Raul Castro and U.S. President Barack Obama. His visit touched on key issues such as immigration, religious freedom, and economic disparity.
In Cuba, he advocated for greater dialogue between the Church and Cuba’s government while praising the Cuban people’s resilience. In the U.S., his addresses captured global attention as he discussed inequality, environmental issues, and immigration reform.
In 2018, Pope Francis embarked on a significant Latin America tour, visiting Chile and Peru. In Chile, he addressed issues of indigenous rights and social justice, while also confronting the clergy sexual abuse scandal that had severely impacted the Church’s credibility in the country. In Peru, the pope celebrated a public Mass in Lima that drew thousands while addressing issues of poverty and inequality.
In early 2023, Pope Francis visited the Democratic Republic of Congo, marking the first papal visit to the nation in nearly four decades. During his time in Kinshasa, the capital, the Pope celebrated Mass at Martyrs’ Stadium for an estimated one million faithful, urging the nation to pursue peace and forgiveness in the face of decades of conflict. He also met with victims of violence from the country’s eastern regions, calling for an end to exploitation and violence fueled by greed.
Following his time in the DRC, Pope Francis traveled to South Sudan as part of an Ecumenical Peace Pilgrimage. In Juba, the capital, he met with government leaders, internally displaced persons, and religious communities, urging the nation to set aside division and work toward lasting peace.
In 2024, Pope Francis continued his European outreach with visits to Luxembourg and Belgium. During his brief stop in Luxembourg, he met with government leaders and religious communities, promoting dialogue and social cohesion. In Belgium, the Pope celebrated Mass for thousands of the faithful at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels, and met with local authorities and civic leaders, encouraging greater engagement with those on the margins of society.
The pinnacle of his international itineraries came during his 2024 Asia-Pacific tour. Spanning 12 days, this journey stands out as the longest and most expansive trip of his papacy, covering approximately 20,390 miles and marking the highest number of countries visited on a single tour. The Pope visited Indonesia, Papa New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore.
In Indonesia, Pope Francis engaged with the country’s Catholic community, met with government and civic officials, and promoted interreligious dialogue, and in Papua New Guinea, he addressed social inclusion and the rights of marginalized peoples.
In Timor-Leste, he celebrated a public Mass in Dili that drew approximately 600,000 attendees, nearly half the country’s population. In Singapore, he held dialogues with civil society groups and emphasized the need for reconciliation and unity in the face of social challenges.
Pope Francis also conducted numerous visits across Europe, with key stops including his influential trip to the Mediterranean island of Lesbos in 2016, where he personally welcomed 12 Syrian refugees to the Vatican, as well as his participation in the World Youth Day events in Poland and the Philippines.
Complementing these international missions, Pope Francis also dedicated himself to domestic travels within Italy, exhibiting his pastoral closeness to people from all walks of life. His visits often focused on marginalized communities and those experiencing hardship.
Pope Francis regularly visited local parishes, celebrating Mass in small-town chapels and engaging with parishioners in intimate settings. Beyond parishes, he frequently visited hospitals, spending time with the sick, the elderly, and healthcare workers, offering blessings and words of compassion.
Prisons held a special place in the Pope’s domestic itinerary, reflecting his emphasis on mercy and human dignity. During Holy Thursday each year, he continued the tradition of washing the feet of inmates, including men and women of different faiths and backgrounds. He also visited juvenile detention centers, conveying a message of hope and second chances for young people.
