Pope Francis will touch down in Papua New Guinea later on Friday as the pontiff undertakes his longest ever overseas journey with an aim to reach Catholics in the most remote corners of the world and highlight a cause close to his heart, climate change.
The Pope’s three-day visit to the country will include time in the capital Port Moresby where he will meet with authorities, civil societies and church leaders, participating in Sunday mass before heading to the remote town of Vanimo to meet with Catholic missionaries.
Papua New Guinea is a vast and sprawling country of mountains, jungle and rivers with some of the world’s last uncontacted tribes, and a population estimated at anything from 9 million to 17 million. The Vatican estimates there are around 2.5 million Catholics in the country.
Paul Morris, a emeritus professor of religious studies at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, said this visit was part of the push to be a truly global church.”In the last decade or so the popes have celebrated more distant communities,” he said.
Flags welcoming the Pope are fluttering through capital Port Moresby and all the major intersections are decked out celebrating his impending arrival. Merchandise including yellow T-shirts with a large image of the Pope and brightly coloured bucket hats are for sale.
“During the mass we’ll also be having a traditional entrance procession as well as we have the official procession, which will be traditional dancers showcasing something from the cultural context of Papua New Guinea,” said Sr. Daisy Anne Lisania, spokesperson for the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea.A chair had been carved for the ageing pope to use during the Papal Mass to be held at a local football stadium.
