Asia is crying for the death of Pope Francis on Monday, who died at the age of 88 after a 12 -year papacy. He had traveled a lot through Asia since he had become a leader of the 1.3 billion world Catholics in 2013.
During his visits, Francis attracted large crowds to countries like the Philippines, which is mainly Catholic, but also in Indonesia, Bangladesh and Thailand where Muslims and Buddhists were in the religious majority and the Catholics were in the minority. He also visited South Korea, Japan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Timor-Leste and Singapore.
Here are moments captured during Pope Francis visits to Asia:
Pope Francis Pope Francis shakes the hand of the Bhaddanta Kumarabhivasma, president of the Sangha Maha Nayaka State Committee, during a meeting with the Buddhist Committee of Yangon, Myanmar, on November 29, 2017. (Max Rossi / Reuters) Pope Francis The devotees welcome Pope Francis while visiting the parish church of St. Peter in the district of Sam Phran of the province of Nakhon Pathom, November 22, 2019. (SOE ZEYA TUN / REUTERS) Pope Francis Pope Francis arrives to lead a sacred mass to the insurance cathedral in Bangkok on November 22, 2019. (Jorge Silva / Reuters) Pope Francis Pope Francis leaves after having led a sacred mass to Tasitolu park in Dili, Timor-Leste, September 10, 2024. (Firch lisnawati / ap) Pope-Francis-Asia Pope Francis greets Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle in Rizal Park, in Manila, Philippines, January 18, 2015. (The Romano / AP Osservatore) Pope Francis Pope Francis carries a traditional hat during a meeting with faithful to Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, September 8, 2024. (Gregorio Borgia / AP) Pope Francis A Muslim Rohingya refugee from Myanmar, in the left center in a white dress, leads a prayer with Pope Francis during a meeting of interconfessional peace in Dacca, Bangladesh, on December 1, 2017. (Aijaz Rahi / AP) Pope-Francis-Asia Students hold panels to welcome Pope Francis in Vanimo, Papua New Guinea, September 8, 2024. (Tiziana Fabi / AFP) Pope-Francis-Asia Pope Francis meets Aung San Suu Kyi in Naycyidaw, Myanmar, November 28, 2017. (Max Rossi / AP) Pope Francis-Mongolia-Chine Pope Francis arrives to chair a mass in the Mongolian capital Ulaan-Batar, September 3, 2023. (Louise Delmotte / AP)