Pope Francis’ first full day in Papua New Guinea features a meeting with civil authorities, representatives of civil society, and the diplomatic corps.
He also offered a reflection on the importance of prayer and the harmony it fosters among people.
This event took place on September 7th at the APEC House in Port Moresby, the capital.
He emphasises the importance of encouraging all people to live in harmony and peace.
Sir Bob Bofend Dadae, the Governor General of Papua New Guinea, welcomed the Pope, recalling the history of the Catholic Church in the country, and its contribution to society that continues today.
Pope Francis thanked the Governor General for opening “the doors of your beautiful country, so far from Rome and yet so close to the heart of the Catholic Church.”
He praised the people of the country, describing it as having "an extraordinary cultural richness" and noting that they live in an archipelago of hundreds of islands where more than eight hundred languages are spoken, each representing a distinct ethnic group.
Pope Francis noted the country's natural resources are also "goods destined for the entire community," even if outside assistance is needed to harness them.
According to him, it is only fair that the requirements of the local population be taken into account when allocating earnings and hiring staff to enhance their living conditions.
Such initiatives call for a great deal of accountability and collaboration to develop these resources equitably and sustainably.
The Pope stated his wish that the country's tribal violence would end so that lives could get better and there wouldn't be any more victims.
To "resolutely embark on the path that leads to fruitful cooperation for the benefit of all the people of the country," he made his appeal to all.
Health, education, and opportunities for dignified work can all be improved through dialogue, he said.
The Pope continued by expressing his sincere hope that the majority of people who profess Christianity will be distinguished "by the love of Jesus Christ and following him as a disciple" and that their faith will go beyond the adherence to rites and rules.
"Faith can become a lived culture, inspiring minds and actions and becoming a beacon of light that illuminates the path forward," the Pope stated.
He encouraged them to collaborate with state institutions and all with good intentions people, praising the Christian communities for their charity efforts and for being a living example of their faith.
Pope Francis concluded by recalling the brilliant example set by Blessed Peter To Rot, Blessed John Mazzucconi, PIME, and all the missionaries who devoted their lives to serving this community and providing hope and strength to the people.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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