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Pope Francis' pontificate in numbers as he prepares for Asian tour

Here are some stats about Pope Francis, who sets off next week, at the age of 87, on a. 33,000 km (20,500 mile) tour of 4 Southeast Asian countries.

ELECTION

The previous Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Argentina was. chosen pope on March 13, 2013. He is the 266th pontiff and the. first from Latin America, in addition to the very first to take the name. Francis.

DURATION. At more than 11 years, Francis' reign already far goes beyond the. 7-1/2 year average. He is likewise the earliest sitting pope since Leo. XIII, who was 93 when he passed away in 1903. Francis' predecessor,. Benedict XVI, passed away at 95, but was 85 when he retired as pope.

FOREIGN JOURNEYS. The trip to Southeast Asia will be Francis' 45th outside Italy. By the time it ends, he will have gone to more than 64 states. and areas, clocking up more than 460,000 km (285,000. miles).

His very first abroad trip as pope, in 2013, was to Brazil. In. September, after returning from Asia, he is because of check out Belgium. and Luxembourg.

HEALTH

In early 2024, Francis had checks in medical facility after weeks of. what was otherwise referred to as a cold, bronchitis and. influenza, but he has appeared to be in

better health

given that the end of March.

He had operations in 2021 and 2023 to eliminate an area of. his colon since of unpleasant diverticulitis and to repair an. abdominal hernia. However he stated last year that the diverticulitis. had actually returned.

Francis has likewise had movement issues for numerous years,. and g

enerally walks with a walking cane when he is not utilizing a. wheelchair.

He has long experienced sciatica, a persistent nerve. condition that causes back, hip and leg pain, and has more. just recently had knee problems.

SAINTS

Francis has called more than 900 new saints, including his. predecessors John XXIII, Paul VI and John Paul II, as well as. Mom Teresa of Calcutta and Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar. Romero, who was killed in 1980.

ENCYCLICALS

An encyclical is the most essential kind of papal document. Francis has actually authored 3:

- Lumen Fidei (Light of Faith) on the value of. Christian faith, based partly on the work of his predecessor. Pope Benedict, in 2013.

- Laudato Si (Applauded Be), which called for immediate action. on climate modification, in 2015.

- Fratelli Tutti

(source: Reuters)