Pope Francis visits Papua New Guinea for Catholic mission

Pope Francis will arrive in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Friday, embarking on his longest overseas mission. His visit aims to connect with Catholics in some of the world’s most remote areas and bring attention to climate change.

During his three-day stay, the Pope will spend time in Port Moresby, meeting with authorities, civil societies, and church leaders. He will participate in Sunday mass before travelling to Vanimo to visit Catholic missionaries.

PNG, a country of mountains, jungles, and rivers, is home to some of the last uncontacted tribes. The population is estimated to be between 9 million and 17 million, with approximately 2.5 million Catholics, according to the Vatican.

Paul Morris, an emeritus professor of religious studies at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, stated this visit is part of an effort to make the church more global. “In the last decade or so, the popes have celebrated more distant communities,” he said.

Port Moresby is adorned with flags welcoming the Pope, and major intersections are decorated in anticipation of his arrival. Merchandise such as yellow T-shirts featuring the Pope and colourful bucket hats are available for purchase.

Sr. Daisy Anne Lisania, spokesperson for the Catholic Church in PNG, mentioned the mass would include a traditional entrance procession with dancers showcasing the cultural heritage of PNG. A special chair has been crafted for the Pope to use during the Papal Mass at a local football stadium.

Christian missionaries arrived in PNG nearly 200 years ago, and Christianity now plays a central role in government and daily life. Douveri Henao, co-chair of the Papua New Guinea Israel Jewish Council, highlighted the pervasive presence of churches in every village.

“There’s a church pastor or reverend in every village, and in some cases, there will be two or three,” Henao said.

He also noted the significant role of church institutions in driving socioeconomic livelihoods and economic participation.

Past papal visits to PNG have been eventful. In 1984, during Pope John Paul II’s visit to the Western Highlands, rival tribes in the mining town engaged in a chanting match, causing security concerns. In 1995, John Paul II was credited with bringing rain during a drought.

Pope Francis is expected to address climate change and the need to reduce global warming during his visit. Some Catholics hope he will announce Peter To Rot, a Catechist killed during the Japanese occupation in 1945, as the country’s first saint.

PNG has recently attracted significant interest from Western countries due to its growing relationship with China. Pope Francis joins a list of notable leaders who have visited.

In April, Ted Wilson, head of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, visited. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Pacific Island leaders meeting in May 2023, and China’s Premier Li Qiang has also visited.