Why is the Pope doing a long tour when he's so frail?
Despite his frail health, Pope Francis has ramped up his activities again. This foreign visit involves three countries in which Catholics are a minority.
At nearly 88 years old, Pope Francis has a knee ailment that impairs mobility, abdominal problems caused by diverticulitis and is vulnerable to respiratory issues owing to the removal of most of one of his lungs.
Last autumn, the Pope said his health problems meant that foreign travel had become difficult. But that was then.
Now, he is in the middle of the longest foreign visit of his 11-and-a-half year papacy. It has been one packed with engagements, and as well as Timor-Leste it involves three countries – Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Singapore – in which Catholics are a minority.
So why is the Pope travelling so extensively and so far from home? Our religion editor, Aleem Maqbool, explains.
(Image: Getty)
