Mary Mennis

As head of the Catholic Church worldwide, the Pope visited Papua New Guinea from 6 to 9 September as part of a four-nation Apostolic journey of South-East Asia and Oceania. The Pontiff’s key message for PNG was of ‘love, unity and hope’.

On Saturday the 7th, Pope Francis met with the Governor-General, Sir Bob Dadae, and other government and civil leaders, followed by visits to the Caritas Technical Secondary School, meeting with about 800 students, former street children and people with disabilities. His decision to visit a school providing educational opportunities for underprivileged girls was significant, given the discrimination and violence women suffer in PNG, issues raised by the Pontiff throughout the tour. During his speech at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Church, where the Catholic community undertakes charitable and educational works, Pope Francis stressed that bishops and priests follow the ‘style of God’, which was about ‘closeness, compassion and tenderness’.

(L-R) Madame Rachel Marape and Prime Minister James Marape meeting Pope Francis

After meeting with PNG’s Prime Minister, James Marape, early Sunday, Pope Francis presided over a Mass in Port Moresby at the Sir John Guise Stadium before an estimated 35,000 who welcomed him with cheers and lively musical performances, including traditional dancing. One elderly man travelled on foot from the Highlands over mountains and valleys, saying: ‘Ï would not do this to see a King or a Prime Minister, but I have come this far to see the Pope. He is my Papa and the head of my church.’ This was also the attitude of the PNG people generally.

Two choirs led the crowds with religious fervour. A sing-sing group brought gifts to the altar during the Mass celebrated by Cardinal John Ribat. The Pope’s message of Hope and Unity was one of the main themes of the Papal tour.

Pope Francis at the Papal Mass in Port Moresby

Following the Mass, the Pope flew to Vanimo, the remote capital of Sandaun Province, where he was welcomed by an estimated 20,000 people who gathered in front of the Holy Cross Cathedral accompanied by singing and dancing. When a feathered headdress was presented by a catechist, Steven Abala, the Pontiff promptly put it on.

Pope Francis brought with him nearly a tonne of humanitarian aid in the form of medicines, clothing and toys. The Pontiff met with the local Catholic community and missionaries from his Argentinian homeland who ministered to them. Father Augustine Prado and his brother, Father Martin, who also lives in the Baro, invited the Pope to visit Vanimo when they visited Rome in 2019. The Prado brothers and their sibling, Sr Cielos, are Argentinian missionaries working in Baro parish, running a school and home for girls fleeing violence. Pope Francis praised the church workers who work at spreading the faith whilst urging the faithful

Crowds at the mass, Sir John Guise Stadium

to work closer to home at being good to one another and put an end to tribal rivalries and violence, including gender-based violence. He also asked for a sense of civic responsibility and cooperation to prevail. It was a reference to the tribal violence over land and other disputes that have long characterised the country’s culture but have grown more lethal in recent years.

After returning to Port Moresby to spend the last night, and before his departure Monday morning of the 9th, Pope Francis met with over 10,000 young people with a message of Hope and Unity, saying: ‘When you are down, rise yourself up and help your friends who are down—help them to get up also.’ Children and some adults approached the Pontiff with presents. His presence during the historic visit left an indelible mark on the nation and highlighted the people’s deep faith—bringing a message of hope, unity and spiritual renewal.

Papal visit in Vanimo, Sandaun Province

The Pontiff left PNG late Monday morning for Timor-Leste. The final word about the Papal visit was from Cardinal John Ribat, who stated that the Holy Father’s visit had put Papua New Guinea back on the world map in a positive light after recent bad publicity.

I could not fly up to PNG but, through the Nunciate in Canberra, I sent a copy of my new book Lotu Katolik: Catholic Missions in Oceania and Papua New Guinea, tied up with golden ribbon. I hope he received it. Meanwhile, the Vatican News Agency received a digital copy of the book and was happy to include it on its website.

Note: All photographs were sourced from the PNG National Information Centre, available online at https://info.gov.pg/pope-francis-meets-youths-concludes-his-png-tour/

Papal visit in Vanimo, Sandaun Province

Papal visit in Vanimo, Sandaun Province

This article was compiled from information sourced from the Post Courier, The Guardian and the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne.