Pope Francis arrived in Papua New Guinea on Friday, marking the second leg of his four-nation trip across Southeast Asia and Oceania. His arrival in Port Moresby was greeted with a cannon salute and a marching band. At 87, the pope is the second pontiff to visit the strategically significant South Pacific nation, following St. John Paul II’s visit in 1984.
The visit is significant not only for the country’s Catholics but also for its diverse Indigenous population. Over 800 Indigenous languages are spoken in Papua New Guinea, and Christianity, introduced in the 20th century, often coexists with traditional spiritual beliefs. Bishop Francis Meli of Vanimo, one of the country’s most remote dioceses, noted, “They are so excited and people are full of jubilation and joy because this is historic… They don’t think any pope in history will be able to come again to Vanimo.”
During the visit, the pope plans to travel to Vanimo, where he will meet a group of Argentine missionaries, inspect a church-built high school, and visit a crisis center for abused women. Missionary priest Tomas Ravaioli remarked, “Christianity here in Papua New Guinea is very, very strong, but sometimes it’s not easy for people to live Christianity 100% because they have traditions that are pagan.”
The pope’s journey to the country comes amidst broader concerns over internal security. Papua New Guinea, where tribal conflicts have persisted for centuries, has seen an increase in violence, often linked to land ownership disputes and allegations of sorcery, known locally as sanguma. Despite Parliament repealing the Sorcery Act in 2013, witch hunts remain common, with the July 17 massacre in East Sepik province claiming 26 lives. Bishop Meli, however, emphasized that his diocese remains peaceful, stating, “They are friendly and peaceful.”
While in Indonesia prior to his arrival, Francis celebrated a Mass that drew over 100,000 attendees, despite initial estimates of 60,000. In his homily, he urged the faithful to “build a civilization of peace” and to be “builders of hope.” Indonesian police reported detaining seven individuals suspected of threatening to disrupt the pope’s visit, though no incidents occurred.
Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister James Marape welcomed the attention the papal visit would bring to his country, especially as global powers like the U.S. and China vie for influence in the region. Marape highlighted that delegations from neighboring South Pacific countries plan to meet the pope during his visit.
Pope Francis’ trip, which also includes stops in East Timor and Singapore, aligns with his broader commitment to social justice, environmental protection, and interfaith dialogue. The pontiff is expected to address issues such as the exploitation of the country’s natural resources and the impacts of climate change, topics crucial to a nation where subsistence farming is the main livelihood for most of its 10 million citizens.
The Vatican has framed this visit as an opportunity to highlight Papua New Guinea’s unique cultural and environmental challenges. With tribal conflicts becoming deadlier due to the use of modern weapons, the pope is likely to call for harmony among the country’s tribes and emphasize the importance of safeguarding the environment. The country’s recent catastrophic landslide, which killed more than 2,000 people according to government reports, underscores the urgency of these issues.
As the first Latin American pope to visit the region, Francis’ message will resonate in a country that has long grappled with balancing traditional values with modernity. As Bishop Meli aptly put it, “Western civilization is great… but we need to balance ourselves.”
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
