10 Landmark Journeys of Pope Francis

Von Ryan Relos

As the Successor of Peter and leader of the Catholic Church, Pope Francis has been tireless in pushing for his advocacies of peace, justice, and unity. Since beginning his papacy in 2013, the Argentinian Pope has embarked on numerous journeys that touched millions and opened a lot of global conversations. His visits have reaffirmed and strengthened the Church’s mission and fostered dialogue between nations, religions, and cultures.

These ten travels stand out as defining moments in his pontificate

Brazil (2013) – World Youth Day
The first international trip of the Pope was in Brazil, where he animated millions of young Catholics during the World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. He inspired a new generation of the faithful, saying, “Go, do not be afraid, and serve.”

Israel, Palestine, and Jordan (2014) – A Pilgrimage of Peace
In his visit to the Holy Land in 2014, the Pope traveled to Jordan, Palestine, and Israel, emphasizing dialogue, reconciliation, and peace. He made an unscheduled stop at Bethlehem to pray at the separation wall. He also met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, urging a renewed commitment to peace. At the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial in Jerusalem, he paid tribute to Holocaust victims.

Philippines (2015) – Mercy and Compassion
During his visit to the Philippines, Pope Francis met with victims of Typhoon Haiyan (Local name: Yolanda) which claimed more than 5,600 lives in Tacloban, offering words of comfort and solidarity. His Mass in the Philippine capital Manila drew an estimated six million people, making it the largest papal gatherings in history.

Cuba and the United States (2015) – A Diplomatic Triumph
The Pope played a crucial role in restoring diplomatic ties between the U.S. and Cuba. He addressed the U.S. Congress where he urged lawmakers to welcome immigrants and protect human diginity, a historic first for any pope.

Mexico (2016) – A Call for Justice
At the U.S.-Mexico border in Ciudad Juárez, Pope Francis prayed for migrants who lost their lives seeking better futures, he highlighted the difficulty of the refugees and undocumented workers.

Egypt (2017) – A Bridge Between Religions
In Cairo, he shared a powerful speech at Al-Azhar University, asking for interfaith dialogue and denouncing religious extremism, thus wanting to strengthen the ties between Christians and Muslims.

Myanmar and Bangladesh (2017) – Defending the Rohingya
Despite diplomatic pressure, the Pope addressed the Rohingya crisis, meeting refugees in Bangladesh and pleading for their rights and dignity, taking a strong humanitarian stance.

United Arab Emirates (2019) – A Historic Mass
During his visit to Abu Dhabi, the Pope signed the “Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together” with a top Muslim leader and celebrated the first-ever papal Mass on the Arabian Peninsula which was attended by over 180,000 people.

Iraq (2021) – A Pilgrimage of Peace
Braving security concerns, Pope Francis has become the first pope to visit Iraq. His meeting with Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in Najaf was a monumental step in Christian-Muslim relations and religious coexistence.

Indonesia (2024) – Strengthening Interfaith Ties
His visit to Indonesia kicked off his 45th Apostolic Journey abroad to Asia and Oceania. Pope Francis emphasized the importance of religious harmony in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country. He met with leaders of different faiths, advocating for dialogue and mutual respect. This visit has been anticipated by the Pope prior to the pandemic.

These journeys strengthened Pope Francis’ message of compassion, justice, and interfaith unity, leaving a great and lasting impact on the Church and the world. His commitment to building bridges and advocating for the marginalized continues to define his papacy.