On September 3rd, Pope Francis embarked on an 11-day tour of Southeast Asia, including stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Timor-Leste, and Singapore. This has kept Professor Jonathan Tan, the Archbishop Paul J. Hallinan Professor of Catholic Studies, busy with interviews and sitting on a panel of experts to discuss this momentous tour. You can listen now to Professor Tan talking about Pope Francis and China with host, Noel King on Vox’s “Today, Explained” Podcast, “The Popes Big Bet on China”— which is also available on selected NPR stations.
As Pope Francis returns to Rome from his 11 day tour of the Asia-Pacific, Dr. Tan writes his own op-ed for UCA News, “The Holy See, Beijing, and the future of Sino-Vatican relations,” on the current negotiations between the Holy See and Beijing on renewing the 2018 joint accord on the appointment of bishops (due for renewal in October 2024) and on the politics of Sino-Vatican and church-state relations generally.
The many articles and interviews from various media outlets on Pope Francis’s tour are briefly described and linked below.
Pope finding strength to carry message of Catholicism to Asia, Oceania, on longest trip (28 August 2024)
VOA News sat down with Professor Tan to discuss the upcoming trip, “Pope Francis is seeking to shine a spotlight on, and remind the rest of the world about, struggling communities in Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.” Despite recent health challenges and mobility issues, the trip underscores his commitment to fostering global Christian-Muslim relations and addressing social issues in Asia and Oceania.
Paralympic Perspectives and Papal Journeys (31 August 2024)
Just Love featuring Mgsr. Kevin Sullivan, spoke with Professor Tan and Dr. P David Howe on the Paralympics and Pope Francis’s 45th Apostolic Journey.
Pope Francis begins historic Asia Pacific trip (2 September 2024)
Professor Jonathan Tan spoke with Kelly Ng of BBC News on this historic trip.
Pope Francis embarks on his longest tour yet: What to expect from the papal visit (3 September 2024)
Professor Tan was featured on the Daily Cuts, originally aired on Channel News Asia, Asia First with Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman.
What does Pope Francis’ historic Asia Pacific trip mean for multicultural Indonesia? (3 September 2024)
Chandni Vatvani and Louisa Tang spoke with Professor Tan for Channel News Asia. “I think now (the trip is) even more poignant and more powerful, because I think the pope wants to draw attention to the fact that there is an alternative beyond violence. There is an alternative where religions can be the force for peace.” – Tan
Why has Pope Francis come to Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation?
Professor Jonathan Tan sat down with BBC News Indonesia to discuss the significance and impact of Pope Francis’ visit to Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation. Professor Tan discusses the significance of Pope Francis’ quest for more positive and collaborative Muslim-Christian relations, and the role that Indonesia can play in fostering and promoting Muslim-Christian dialogue.
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit Proves Indonesia is a Nation with High Tolerance (4 September 2024)
Finally, Professor Tan spoke with Radio Republik Indonesia – Voice of Indonesia, describing this trip as an important part of Pope Francis’ efforts to break tensions between Islam and Christianity.