Port Moresby.-Pope Francis has arrived in Papua New Guinea to continue his Asia-Pacific tour, the longest of his papacy’s journeys, after concluding a visit to Indonesia where he called for dialogue with Islam and other religions.
The Pope left Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta airport just after 10:30 a.m. local time (3:30 GMT) on a plane operated by Indonesian airline Garuda and arrived six hours later in Port Moresby, where he is making the second stop of his tour in a country with hundreds of ethnic groups and languages and a majority Christian country.
Francis, 87, who arrived in Indonesia on Tuesday, celebrated Mass for some 60,000 faithful who packed the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta on Thursday, while another 40,000 watched the ceremony on screens in another adjacent stadium.
“Do not tire of dreaming and of building a civilization of peace,” Francis urged during an improvised homily. “Be builders of hope. Be builders of peace.”
“I feel very lucky compared to other people who can’t come or who wanted to come,” said Vienna Frances Florensius Basol, who came with her husband and a group of about 40 people from Sabah, Malaysia, but were unable to enter the stadium.
Earlier, the Pope, who is in a wheelchair due to mobility problems, held an interfaith event with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, and signed a declaration urging religions to help resolve conflicts and combat environmental destruction.
Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world, and Catholics represent only 3.1% of its 270 million inhabitants spread across 6,000 inhabited islands.
In Papua New Guinea, the official agenda will begin on Saturday with meetings with bishops and priests from the country and with children hosted by a secondary school run by the Catholic NGO Caritas.
He will travel to the remote town of Vanimo to meet with some missionaries from his native Argentina who are trying to spread the Catholic faith among a mostly tribal population, which also practices pagan and indigenous traditions.
On Sunday, he is scheduled to meet Papuan Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby, then travel to the remote small town of Vanimo near the Indonesian border, where he will hold talks with Catholic missionaries.
Papua New Guinea, the country with the greatest diversity of languages - some 840 – and with 600 tribes, has 95.6% of its population of Christian faith, of which 32% are Catholic.
Its main problems include poverty, despite being a country rich in natural resources, and violent clashes between tribes.
On Monday, Pope Francis will continue his tour in East Timor and next Wednesday he will continue his journey in Singapore, which ends on September 13 after traveling more than 32,000 kilometers, his longest trip.Infobae.
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2024-09-10 11:05:48
Table of Contents
Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to Papua New Guinea: A Message of Peace and Hope
Pope Francis has concluded his visit to Indonesia and arrived in Papua New Guinea, marking the second stop of his Asia-Pacific tour. This historic visit is significant, as Papua New Guinea is a country with hundreds of ethnic groups and languages, and a majority Christian population. The Pope’s message of peace, hope, and unity resonates deeply with the people of Papua New Guinea, who are eager to hear his words of encouragement and guidance.
A Call to Action
During his visit to Indonesia, Pope Francis urged the faithful to “not tire of dreaming and of building a civilization of peace.” He emphasized the importance of being “builders of hope” and “builders of peace” [[2]]. This message is particularly relevant in Papua New Guinea, where the country is grappling with issues of violence, including gender-based violence, and a lack of civic responsibility [[3]].
Interfaith Dialogue
In Indonesia, Pope Francis met with the Grand Imam of the Istiqlal Mosque, Nasaruddin Umar, and signed a declaration urging religions to help resolve conflicts and combat environmental destruction [[1]]. This commitment to interfaith dialogue is critical in Papua New Guinea, where Christian, Muslim, and traditional beliefs coexist. The Pope’s efforts to promote understanding and cooperation between different faiths are a beacon of hope for a more harmonious and peaceful world.
Papua New Guinea: A Country of Diversity
Papua New Guinea is a country of immense linguistic and cultural diversity, with over 840 languages spoken across the country [[2]]. The Pope’s visit to the remote town of Vanimo, near the Indonesian border, is a testament to his commitment to reaching out to marginalized communities and promoting the values of compassion, justice, and equality.
Meeting with Papuan Prime Minister and Catholic Missionaries
On Sunday, Pope Francis is scheduled to meet with Papuan Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby, followed by a visit to the remote town of Vanimo, where he will hold talks with Catholic missionaries [[2]]. These meetings will provide an opportunity for the Pope to engage with local leaders and religious authorities, strengthening ties between the Catholic Church and the people of Papua New Guinea.
Conclusion
Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea is a powerful symbol of hope and unity in a region marked by diversity and challenge. His message of peace, reconciliation, and interfaith dialogue resonates deeply with the people of Papua New Guinea, and his commitment to promoting the values of compassion, justice, and equality is a beacon of light in a world often marked by conflict and division.
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What impact is Pope Francis’ visit expected to have on the Catholic community in Papua New Guinea?
Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to Papua New Guinea: A Beacon of Hope and Peace
In a significant milestone, Pope Francis has arrived in Papua New Guinea (PNG) as part of his Asia-Pacific tour, marking a significant moment in the country’s history. After concluding his visit to Indonesia, where he called for dialogue with Islam and other religions, the Pope is set to spread his message of peace, hope, and unity in PNG.
A Country of Diversity
Papua New Guinea, a nation with hundreds of ethnic groups and languages, is a predominantly Christian country. The Pope’s visit is expected to have a profound impact on the country’s Catholic community, which makes up a significant percentage of the population.
Mass in Port Moresby
On Saturday, the Pope delivered a mass to an estimated 35,000 people in Port Moresby, the capital city of PNG [[1][[2]. In his sermon, he emphasized the importance of building a civilization of peace, urging the faithful to be “builders of hope” and “builders of peace” [[1].
Visit to Vanimo
The Pope’s itinerary also includes a visit to the remote town of Vanimo, where he will meet with missionaries from his native Argentina who are working to spread the Catholic faith among the local tribal population [[2][[3]. This visit is significant, as it highlights the Pope’s commitment to reaching out to marginalized communities and promoting interfaith dialogue.
Meeting with Prime Minister James Marape
On Sunday, the Pope is scheduled to meet with Papuan Prime Minister James Marape in Port Moresby, where they will discuss issues of mutual concern and cooperation [[3]. This meeting is expected to strengthen ties between the Vatican and PNG, promoting greater understanding and collaboration.
A Message of Hope
Throughout his visit, Pope Francis has reiterated his message of hope and peace, urging the faithful to be instruments of change and promoters of unity. His visit to PNG is a powerful reminder of the importance of interfaith dialogue, understanding, and cooperation in building a more harmonious and peaceful world.
Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea is a historic moment in the country’s history, one that is expected to have a lasting impact on the Catholic community and beyond. As the Pope continues his Asia-Pacific tour, his message of hope, peace, and unity is sure to resonate with people of all faiths and backgrounds.
