Pope Francis will deliver a sermon calling for action on climate change in Asia.

Pope Francis is embarking on an ambitious 12-day journey across Asian countries. From Sept. 2 to Sept. 13, he will cover nearly 33,000 kilometres (20,500 miles) visiting Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. This trip marks Francis’ 45th foreign excursion since his election in March 2013.

At 87, this will be the longest trip yet for the Pontiff, who often needs a wheelchair due to knee and back pain. He will be accompanied by a doctor and two nurses for this journey.

During his visit to each of the four countries, he will meet with political, diplomatic, and religious leaders, as well as lead outdoor Catholic Mass celebrations.

His focus during these visits will be advocating for global action on climate change.

Francis has been a vocal supporter of the 2015 Paris climate agreement and emphasizes the urgency of addressing the threats posed by climate change, especially for those most vulnerable to its effects.

All the countries on his itinerary are facing risks from rising sea levels, severe heat waves, and unpredictable weather patterns.

The tour commences in Jakarta, a city that has faced recurring devastating floods and is gradually sinking. As a response, the Indonesian government is constructing a new $32-billion capital on Borneo.

He had aimed to participate in the U.N. climate conference in Dubai last year but had to cancel the trip last minute on medical advice.

Church Focus on Asia

This tour also highlights the Catholic Church’s growing focus on Asia and the Pontiff’s efforts to build relationships with other faiths.

Catholic leaders view Asia as a promising ground for expanding the church’s membership, especially as it declines in Western countries.

In Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country, he will hold a meeting with religious leaders at the Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta, the largest mosque in Southeast Asia. The Catholic population in Indonesia is around 3 percent.

His ongoing commitment to promoting Catholic-Muslim dialogue is evident during this visit, continuing his legacy as the first pope to visit the Arabian Peninsula in 2019.

He will arrive in Jakarta around noon on Sept. 3 and depart for Papua New Guinea three days later.

While in Papua New Guinea, he plans to visit Vanimo, a remote town on the northern coastline where residents face extreme poverty. He will also meet with missionaries from Argentina, his home country.

Additionally, he aims to engage with local authorities to address the tensions between Christian and Muslim communities on various islands in the region.

In Catholic-majority Timor-Leste, Francis signed a significant “human fraternity document” with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Sheikh Ahmed al-Tayeb, affirming the strong ties between the Catholic Church and the country.

The Catholic Church played a crucial role in Timor-Leste’s fight for independence, supporting the nation’s quest for freedom from Indonesian military rule.

A Message to Beijing

Francis’ visit to Singapore, where a substantial population is ethnically Chinese, offers an opportunity to extend an olive branch to Beijing as the Vatican seeks to improve relations for China’s Catholic community.

This visit follows Beijing’s official recognition of Tianjin Bishop Melchior Shi Hongzhen, a move seen as a positive outcome of the ongoing dialogue between the Church and the Chinese government.

During his trip, the Pope will participate in more than 40 events, setting a precedent as no previous pope has embarked on such extensive travel at a similar age.

His immediate predecessor, Benedict XVI, resigned at 85, while John Paul II, who had Parkinson’s disease, concluded his last foreign visit at 84.