Pope Francis (R) stands alongside Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena (L) during a welcome ceremony at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka on January 13. Sri Lanka is the first stop in his two-nation tour in Asia. He will continue on to the Philippines, the largest Catholic majority nation in Asia, where he is expected to draw huge crowds during his visit from January 15 - 19.
Pope Francis begins Asia Tour —
Pope Francis (R) stands alongside Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena (L) during a welcome ceremony at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka on January 13. Sri Lanka is the first stop in his two-nation tour in Asia. He will continue on to the Philippines, the largest Catholic majority nation in Asia, where he is expected to draw huge crowds during his visit from January 15 - 19.
Ishara S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis is received by colorful Sri Lankan dancers upon arrival in the capital Colombo on January 13.
Pope Francis is received by colorful Sri Lankan dancers upon arrival in the capital Colombo on January 13.
AP Photo/Saurabh Das
A Sri Lankan Catholic holds a portrait of Pope Francis and awaits his arrival, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 13.
A Sri Lankan Catholic holds a portrait of Pope Francis and awaits his arrival, on the outskirts of Colombo, Sri Lanka, on January 13.
AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena
Pope Francis disembarks from an airplane after arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka on January 13.
Pope Francis disembarks from an airplane after arriving at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake, Sri Lanka on January 13.
S.KODIKARA/AFP/Getty Images
Pope Francis salutes reporters during his flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka on January 12.
Pope Francis salutes reporters during his flight to Colombo, Sri Lanka on January 12.
AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino
Parish priests look at a montage of paintings of Pope Francis adorning a section of Manila Cathedral on January 7 in Manila, Philippines.
Parish priests look at a montage of paintings of Pope Francis adorning a section of Manila Cathedral on January 7 in Manila, Philippines.
Dondi Tawatao/Getty Images
Filipinos buy commemorative stamps featuring Pope Francis on January 8. They were released as a tribute to the pontiff who will visit the predominantly Catholic nation from January 15 - 19.
Filipinos buy commemorative stamps featuring Pope Francis on January 8. They were released as a tribute to the pontiff who will visit the predominantly Catholic nation from January 15 - 19.
AP Photo/Bullit Marquez