Pope Francis’ Pontificate in Numbers During His Asia-Pacific Tour

Pope Francis, who is currently 87 years old, is embarking on a significant 33,000-km (20,500-mile) journey through four Southeast Asian countries. Here are some key statistics about him:

When Was Pope Francis Elected?
Pope Francis, originally Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio from Argentina, was elected as pope on March 13, 2013. He is the 266th pope and notably the first from Latin America, as well as the first to adopt the name Francis.

How Long Has Francis Been Pope?
Having served for over 11 years, Francis’ papacy surpasses the average tenure of 7.5 years. He is the oldest reigning pope since Leo XIII, who passed away at 93 in 1903. His predecessor, Benedict XVI, died at 95 but retired at the age of 85.

How Many Foreign Trips Has Francis Undertaken?
The current trip to Southeast Asia marks Francis’ 45th visit outside of Italy. By the completion of this journey, he will have traveled to more than 64 countries and territories, covering a distance exceeding 460,000 km (285,000 miles). His inaugural overseas trip as pope was to Brazil in 2013. Following his Asia trip, he is set to visit Belgium and Luxembourg in September.

How Is the Pope’s Health?
In early 2024, Pope Francis underwent hospital checks after experiencing various health issues described as a cold, bronchitis, and influenza. However, he has shown signs of improved health since the end of March. He has undergone surgeries in 2021 and 2023 to address diverticulitis and an abdominal hernia. Although he reported a recurrence of diverticulitis last year, he continues to navigate mobility challenges, often using a cane or wheelchair due to chronic sciatica and knee issues.

How Many Saints Has Francis Named?
Pope Francis has canonized over 900 saints, including notable figures such as John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul II, Mother Teresa of Calcutta, and Oscar Romero, the Salvadoran Archbishop who was assassinated in 1980.

Encyclicals
An encyclical is a significant type of papal document, and Pope Francis has written three notable encyclicals:

• "Lumen Fidei" (Light of Faith) in 2013, emphasizing the Christian faith, partly inspired by the work of his predecessor Benedict XVI.
• "Laudato Si" in 2015, which called for urgent action concerning climate change.
• "Fratelli Tutti" in 2020, addressing themes of solidarity in a post-pandemic world.