Pope Francis, 88, has been battling double pneumonia since his admission to a Roman hospital last week, prompting concerns over his ability to continue leading the world’s 1.4 billion Catholics. According to Professor Sergio Alfieri of Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, the pontiff has shown slight improvement thanks to a gradual reduction in medication, yet doctors emphasize that he is “not out of danger.” Initially hospitalized for breathing difficulties, Francis’s condition advanced from bronchitis to double pneumonia, fueling speculation about his immediate future and that of the Church he guides.

Though believers worldwide fervently pray for his recovery, it is clear that the Holy Father has already entered a phase in which his travel schedule has been significantly reduced due to age and the demanding nature of his role.

Looking back at Pope Francis' journeys

Whatever may lie ahead, there is no doubt that Pope Francis’s past travels have profoundly shaped his papacy. Since 2013, he has embarked on numerous pastoral visits across the globe, using each journey to engage both believers and non-believers in interfaith dialogue, social justice, and peace initiatives. Let’s revisit three particularly notable trips — to Cuba, the United States, and the United Arab Emirates — followed by a glimpse at his significant outreach in Asia.

Cuba (2014): Bridging a historic divide

One of Pope Francis’s most celebrated diplomatic visits was to Cuba in 2014, where he helped ease decades-long tensions between the island nation and the United States.

Acting as a mediator, the pope reached out to then-US President Barack Obama and Cuba’s President Raúl Castro, urging them, in the Vatican’s words, “to address humanitarian issues of mutual concern, including the situation of certain prisoners, in order to begin a new phase in their relations.” The Vatican later hosted a pivotal diplomatic meeting, reinforcing Francis’s role as a global bridge-builder.

United States (2015): A call for global action