Francis will be Jakarta on Sept. 3-6, Port Moresby and Vanimo on Sept. 6-9, Dili on Sep. 9-11, and Singapore on Sept. 11-13 September, a statement said.

Vietnam, which had been suggested by the pope and Vatican officials as a possible destination during the Asia trip, was not mentioned.

The trip is expected to be taxing for Francis, who is 87 and whose health has been poor recently, forcing him to cancel some engagements including some Easter events last month.

(Reporting by Alvise Armellini, editing by Gianluca Semeraro)