Pope defies health fears on historic Asia-Pacific tour

The 87-year-old pontiff took off for Rome, completing his longest trip in duration and distance since he became head of the world's nearly 1.4 billion Roman Catholics more than 11 years ago.

Pope Francis wears a flower garland as he arrives for an interreligious meeting with young people at the Catholic Junior College in Singapore on September 13, 2024. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)