Pope Francis delivered a powerful homily at Sir John Guise Stadium, urging the people of Papua New Guinea to open their hearts to God, reject fear, and build a more united society.
Addressing the faithful during a Holy Mass, the pontiff’s message centered around the biblical words, “Be strong, do not fear!” (Isaiah 35:4), encouraging the people to find hope in God's saving power, even amid difficulties and isolation.
Reflecting on the day’s Gospel, which recounts Jesus healing a deaf man with a speech impediment (Mark 7:31-37), the Pope highlighted two key themes: the distance of the man from society and the nearness of Jesus.
He compared the deaf man’s isolation to the spiritual barriers people often face today. “We too can become cut off from communion and friendship with God and our brothers and sisters when our hearts become blocked,” Pope Francis said, mentioning selfishness, indifference, and fear as common causes of such distance.
The Holy Father reassured the people that God responds to this distance with the nearness of Jesus, who is always ready to bridge gaps and heal spiritual wounds.
“Through his nearness, Jesus heals human muteness and deafness,” he explained, adding that the Lord’s touch can overcome fear and bring people back into communion with God and their neighbors. “Jesus conquers our hardness of heart, helping us to overcome our fears, to open our ears and loosen our tongues.”
A message of hope for Papua New Guinea
Pope Francis addressed the people of Papua New Guinea directly, acknowledging that they may sometimes feel far removed from the rest of the world, but reminding them that they are central to God’s heart.
“Today, the Lord wants to draw near to you, to let you know that you are at the center of his heart and that each one of you is important to him,” he said.
The Pope encouraged the nation to embrace the Gospel as the guiding compass for their lives, rejecting fear and embracing the transformative power of faith.
“Courage, people of Papua New Guinea, do not be afraid! Open yourselves to the joy of the Gospel; open yourselves to encounter God; open yourselves to the love of your brothers and sisters,” he urged.
Pope Francis also called on the people to build a more open and communicative society, noting that faith can overcome barriers and promote unity. “In this way, we will also be able to communicate with one another and build a different society, also here in Papua New Guinea,” he added.
A call to embrace the Gospel and reject fear
The Pope’s homily also included a strong appeal to reject superstitions, witchcraft, and fear, reminding the faithful that such practices lead only to lies and isolation.
“Let us say ‘no’ to all that, because it locks us up in lies and fear! Instead, let us open ourselves to God and his word, to the Gospel, and to the Church’s faith,” he declared.
The Holy Father concluded by invoking the intercession of Blessed John Mazzucconi, the Italian missionary who brought the Gospel to Papua New Guinea amid great challenges.
He encouraged the people to follow Mazzucconi’s example and open their hearts to the message of salvation, so they may “loosen their tongues to sing of God’s love.”
Pope Francis’s visit continues to inspire hope and renewal as Papua New Guineans heed his call to embrace the transformative power of faith and unity.
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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