History of papal international travels since Paul VI

Since the early 1960s, international travel has become a fundamental aspect of the papacy. This trend began with Pope Paul VI, who made history in January 1964 with a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. His travels across six continents, including a landmark speech at the United Nations in 1965, helped establish the papacy as a significant global political force.

Following Paul VI, Pope John Paul II further expanded the scope of papal journeys. Known as the “traveling pope,” he conducted 104 foreign trips during his nearly 27-year pontificate, visiting 127 different countries and setting a record for international engagement.