Asia - Pacific News
Pope Francis celebrates Mass with 100,000 worshippers in Indonesia
Upon entering the stadium in a wheelchair, Pope Francis was immediately greeted by loud cheers and cries of “Viva Papa!”... Read more
Pope Francis and grand imam sign joint declaration at Indonesia mosque
Pope Francis signs interfaith declaration at Indonesia’s largest mosque, promoting religious harmony and condemning violence. Read more
Pope Francis: Indonesia’s high birth rate is an example for other countries
The 87-year-old pontiff said the diverse nation’s high fertility rate should be an example for other countries around the world. Read more
Pope Francis invites Indonesia’s Catholics to share ‘joy of encountering Christ’
“Proclaiming the Gospel … [means] giving and sharing the joy of encountering Christ always with great respect and fraternal affection... Read more
Pope Francis begins Indonesia visit with call for Catholic-Muslim dialogue
On Francis’ first full day in Indonesia on Wednesday, the pope called upon the political leaders to protect the country’s... Read more
Pope Francis greets orphans and refugees in Indonesia
Pope Francis received a group of homeless people in Rome before departing for Southeast Asia and, upon arriving in Jakarta,... Read more
Pope Francis arrives in Indonesia, the first leg of his longest trip ever
Pope Francis arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday, launching his challenging 11-day, four-country tour of Southeast Asia and Oceania amid warm... Read more
What it’s like to be a Catholic in the world’s largest Muslim country
Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia spotlights the unique experience of the country’s 8.3 million Catholics who navigate daily life in... Read more
Francis won’t be the first pope to visit Papua New Guinea: a look at John Paul II’s trips
Pope John Paul II visited Papua New Guinea for the first time in May 1984 and paid tribute to the... Read more
In Muslim Indonesia, a Catholic monastery has become part of the community
Sister Martha Driscoll, the founding superior of a monastery in Java, shares what life is like for Catholics in the... Read more
First Indonesian priest ordained in the U.S. excited for Pope Francis’ visit
Father Miguel Marie, a Franciscan Missionary of the Eternal Word, was born in West Java, Indonesia, and emigrated to northern... Read more
Pope Francis to find a lively and simple faith in Papua New Guinea
Pope Francis will visit Papua New Guinea as part of an apostolic journey that will take place Sept. 2–13 in... Read more
Church hails India Supreme Court for reaffirming ban on euthanasia: ‘Extremely happy’
“We are extremely happy that the sacredness of life has been upheld by the court,” Archbishop Raphy Manjaly of Agra,... Read more
Theme song for Pope Francis’ visit to Singapore released
The Catholic community in Singapore released a theme song for Pope Francis’ upcoming visit to the country. Read more
Pakistan archbishop on ‘sabbatical’ after allegations of abuse, fraud
Archbishop Sebastian Shaw, OFM, has been replaced as administrator of the Archdiocese of Lahore, Pakistan, the diocese’s vicar general announced. Read more
Sister Agnes Sasagawa, Our Lady of Akita visionary, dies at 93
Sister Agnes Sasagawa, a Japanese nun who purported visions of the Virgin Mary under the title of Our Lady of... Read more
New Zealand Church’s safeguarding efforts praised, but report highlights need for action
An assessment of Catholic safeguarding protocols in New Zealand highlighted progress in many areas while also pointing to the need... Read more
Australian archbishop calls for faith protections in wake of shelved religious bill
“It is regrettable that such important legislation is not proceeding,” Melbourne Archbishop Peter A. Comensoli said in a statement. Read more
Hong Kong court rejects Catholic democracy activist Jimmy Lai’s appeal of 2021 conviction
Lai and other demonstrators had been convicted in 2021 of taking part in what the Hong Kong government had argued... Read more
3 Marian holy sites in the Muslim nation of Indonesia
Records dating back to the 16th century indicate that the first Catholic traditions in Indonesia were established following the first... Read more
