PAPAL MESSAGE OF LOVE, PEACE TO FORM BASIS OF 49th INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY THEME, PM MARAPE SAYS AS HE FAREWELLS POPE FRANCIS FROM PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Monday, 09 September 2024: Prime Minister Hon. James Marape today farewelled Pope Francis off at Jackson’s International Airport and in so doing, echoed the Pontiff’s call for more love, peace

and unity in Papua New Guinea.

The Prime Minister attended a mass gathering of youth at the Sir John Guise Stadium with the Pope in the morning, and saw the Head of Vatican off at the airport at about 12pm where the Pontiff is heading to Timor Leste to continue

his world tour of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ of love and peace.

In attendance also at the gathering today was Deputy Prime Minister Hon. John Rosso, and Minister for Community Development Religion and Youth, Hon. Jason Peter.

Prime Minister Marape said after the farewell that he was grateful for the papal visit which has come at the right time to remind the people of Papua New Guinea of basic societal values of living together as one people, as PNG heads

into celebrating its 49 Independence anniversary.

He said, “I want to express my greatest appreciation on behalf of the people

of Papua New Guinea, especially the Catholic faithful, to Pope Francis for visiting our country.

“The timing could not have been better. I agreed to the timing at the start of planning earlier this year because I felt the Pope, with his global standing and spiritual leadership, would strengthen our people with his words of wisdom and help to prepare us for our 16 September Independence anniversary.

“The Pope’s message has resonated very well with our people and for our country. It was simple yet profound.

“The Pontiff’s core message of unity, tolerance, forgiveness, peace, love, care for one and other including lifting up our fallen brother or sister, and environmental stewardship is relevant, timely and very much needed today.

“In his message to the youth today at the stadium, Pope Francis stressed this

message and highlighted that young people must be responsible for each other, they must pull each other up when one is down – in their families, in their neigbourhoods, in their communities. Not to harm each other but to be each other’s strength when needed.

“These are the same message I have been driving in my own conversations with our people, and as I farewell him, I want to echo it and thank him again for it,” said PM Marape.

Prime Minister Marape also conveyed his appreciation to Papua New Guineans for putting on an exemplary reception for the Pope over the weekend with peace and quiet attitude of self-reflection, and no trouble.

He urged that this similar behaviour be carried forward long-term so the country could experience more peace among its citizens.

“I want to ask our people, as I have continuously done so in the past. Living in peace with each other is the easiest contribution of service our people can render to God and to our country – to live with each other in peace, harmony and respect. It is free and comes at no cost to you.”

Prime Minister Marape reminded the youth of work currently happening under this government to assist better their lives, such as the expansion in distance and opening learning education, the expansion in universities and college spaces, new upcoming scholarships for young people in various programs, and the focus on SME to encourage youth to get into self-employment and also become job creators themselves.

“These are work we have already started. We do not expect things to change overnight but I assure our young people that we have started. I want to ask our people to let politicians play their politics, and let us support our police by maintaining our Law & Order in the country.

“I encourage hard work, ethics in both our living and working lives, and call for healing within us and forgiveness toward each other,” said PM Marape.

The Prime Minister said the theme of this year’s Independence anniversary will reflect the papal visit and message. It will centre on Reconciliation, National Unity, and Respect of the Rule of Law.

“As the Pope leaves us and we head over the week into our 49th anniversary, our nation must ponder on the Pontiff’s message of unity, peace and love.

“We must forgive and reconcile – within our families, tribes because of many tribal

fights, and Bougainville because of its longstanding issue,” said PM Marape.

Ends///

As the Pope heads to Papua New Guinea, who is PNG's saint-in-waiting, Peter To Rot?

Papua New Guinea will receive its first visit from the Pope in almost 30 years this week, and some are hoping for some development on the country's first saint-in-waiting, Peter To Rot

His Holiness Pope Francis will travel to Port Moresby and Vanimo, a remote town in Sandaun Province on the border with Indonesia.

The last visit of a Pope to Papua New Guinea was John Paul II in 1995, who celebrated the beatification of Peter To Rot — the first PNG man to be raised to beatification, the step before sainthood. 

Father Francis Meli, the Bishop of the Diocese of Vanimo, was also there.  

"I was able to consecrate that mass of the beatification of Blessed Peter To Rot," he told Pacific Soul.

Who was Peter To Rot?

Peter To Rot was a Catholic catechist from Rakunai village in the East New Britain Province.

Son of a village chief, Angelo To Puia, To Rot was entrusted with the Rukunai parish during World War II. 

He became a martyr when he was killed by the Japanese while in prison during the war. 

Many Catholics have anticipated the late catechist’s canonisation to full Sainthood since Pope John Paul's visit.

"If he is going to be a Saint, he will be the first person from PNG," To Rot's niece Angie Kolita-Payne told Pacific Soul. 

She described him as "a simple man in the village" and a "gentle person, dedicated to the Catholic faith".

"He died being so dedicated to his faith, and died a martyr for what he believed in," she said. 

"Death didn't scare him. And he ... stayed true to the very end. It's not just for Rakunai village, but the whole of PNG. He's a man that died for his faith."

So where is it in the process? 

In May this year, a Cardinal mentioned the possibility of canonising Blessed Peter To Rot during the Pope's PNG visit.

The canonisation is the final step in declaring a deceased person a saint.

But there's a bit of a process when it comes to being considered for sainthood, and it's still not quite there.

In July, Rabaul Archbishop Rochus Tatamai sent a letter to the people, explaining the need for proof of miracles attributed to Blessed Peter To Rot.

In it, he said the saint process was in "the final stage of the cause".

But to complete the process, it's necessary to prepare a series of documents for Rome, including a "long list of favours and graces received through the intercession of Blessed Peter To Rot".

"At this moment, there are three people working on this: two in Rome, and one here, in Papua New Guinea," he wrote.

"Without this, it is impossible for Peter To Rot to be canonised … It is not enough to tell the story orally; it must be put in writing."

What brings the Pope to Vanimo?

Vanimo is a small logging town on PNG's coast, 1,000 kilometres from Port Moresby, and sits close to the Indonesian border. 

Pope Francis will travel to Vanimo on Sunday, September 8. There, he has a private meeting with a group of missionaries from the Holy Trinity Humanities School in Baro that afternoon.

Pope Francis always emphasises about the … disadvantages of people and those who are marginalised, and Vanimo is one of those." 

The Pope's four days in PNG

The Pope's itinerary includes:

Friday, September 6: Pope Francis will arrive and stay at the Vatican Embassy in PNG.

Saturday, September 7: He will visit the Governor General of PNG and meet with state leaders at APEC Haus. Along with a meeting with the bishops of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands in the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians.

Sunday, September 8: Morning, Holy mass in the Sir John Guise Stadium. Afternoon: The Pope will travel to Vanimo, and return to Port Moresby that evening.

Monday, September 9: Meet with young people in the Sir John Guise Stadium. Farewell ceremony at 11:10am at Port Moresby Jacksons International Airport.