Speaking at St Peter's Square on 18 September, the Pope said the Church is "more alive" in areas like Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.

The pontiff emphasised the Church's need to move beyond its European roots and embrace the global Catholic community.

Francis remarked "We are still too Eurocentric… but in reality, the Church is much bigger… and much more alive in these countries".

Fraternity is the future

Reflecting on the Asian tour, Pope Francis praised the "missionary, outgoing Church" he encountered, especially in Indonesia, a Muslim-majority country where Catholics make up only 3% of the population.

He observed a dynamic faith community there, actively transmitting the Gospel.

Pope Francis signed a joint declaration with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque in Indonesia, condemning religious-based violence and promoting interfaith harmony.

"There, I saw that fraternity is the future, it is the answer to anti-civilisation, to the diabolical plots of hatred, war and also sectarianism" he said.

In Papua New Guinea, the Pope was welcomed by indigenous tribes who have embraced Catholicism.

He met with missionaries and catechists whom he called the "protagonists" of his visit and expressed hope for a future free from tribal violence and colonial dependencies.

Salt and light

The Pope's visit to East Timor, predominantly a Catholic nation, also left a strong impression.

He was touched by the country's large families and abundant religious vocations.

He called East Timor a model of a "culture of life", contrasting it with wealthier nations like Singapore which he said could learn from its example of high birth rates.

His final stop in Singapore, though starkly different from the other nations, reaffirmed his belief in the power of small, faith-driven communities.

"Even in wealthy Singapore, there are the ‘little ones' who follow the Gospel and become salt and light, witnesses to a hope greater than what economic gains can guarantee" he added.

The Pope's reflections emphasised the universality of the Catholic Church, urging believers to look beyond Europe to the flourishing faith communities in other parts of the world.

Sources

Catholic News Agency

La Croix International

CathNews New Zealand

The remarkable attendance was a testament to the overwhelmingly Catholic Southeast Asian country and the esteem with which its people hold the church.

The Mass, held at Tasitolu Park near the capital Dili, marked a significant moment in the country's religious history and echoed the visit of St John Paul II 35 years ago.

The gathering highlighted the deep devotion of the Timorese people in a nation where 97% of the population is Catholic.

Catholic Church's key role

Pope Francis arrived at the park in his popemobile and stayed well after sunset to greet the faithful, who illuminated the park with mobile phone lights.

"I wish for you peace, that you keep having many children, and that your smile continues to be your children" the Pope said, delivering his message in Spanish.

East Timor, also known as Timor-Leste, gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after decades of conflict that claimed up to 200,000 lives. The Catholic Church played a key role in supporting the country during its struggle, drawing international attention to human rights abuses under Indonesian rule.

Cardinal Carmo da Silva, the archbishop of Dili, told the crowd at the end of the Mass that John Paul's visit "marked the decisive step in our process of self-determination" and that Francis' visit to the same place "marks a fundamental step in the process of building our country, its identity and its culture".

Tasitolu Park once bore witness to atrocities committed by Indonesian forces. The park, where bodies were disposed of during the occupation, is now a symbol of peace. A large statue of St John Paul II stands in the park, commemorating his 1989 visit during East Timor's push for independence.

While local organisers initially expected 300,000 attendees, the actual turnout reached 600,000, according to the Vatican. The Pope's presence was described as a powerful source of blessing and hope for the people.

Prevent every kind of abuse

The day before the Mass, Pope Francis urged Timor-Leste's leaders to address child abuse following recent scandals involving clergy. He called for action to protect young people and condemned alcohol misuse and the violent use of martial arts, which has led to government crackdowns.

"Let us not forget the many children and adolescents whose dignity has been violated. The phenomenon is manifesting all over the world" he said in a speech in the capital, Dili.

"We are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people" the pope added.

Sources

AP News

UCA News

CathNews New Zealand

However, half of them pulled out after learning that Malaysia's some 1.5 million Catholics have to share just 900 seats allocated to them by the Singapore archdiocese to attend the papal Mass.

Each of the nine dioceses in Malaysia was given 100 seats, regardless of the number of parishes and Catholics.

Organisers say seats are limited for the Sept 12 papal Mass at the Singapore National Stadium, which can accommodate 40,000 people.

Soosai said most Catholics who signed up with him came from one parish — Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Klang, about 40 kilometres west of the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.

Read More