Pope Francis travelled to one of Papua New Guinea’s most remote dioceses yesterday, bringing both spiritual and material comfort to people at the margins. Source: Crux.
On his 965-kilometre flight from the national capital of Port Moresby to Vanimo, the Vatican said the pontiff brought eight suitcases, each weighing around 30 kilograms, containing food, medicine, toys and primary goods, as well as containers for the food which otherwise would risk rapid deterioration in the tropical climate.
In addition, the Pope also reportedly packed a few cassocks for altar servers.
On the spiritual level, the pontiff also brought a message of hope to a crowd estimated at 20,000, exhorting faithful to spread God’s beauty and love wherever they go.
Speaking to members of the local church in the remote Vanimo Diocese yesterday, Pope Francis called on each person to be a missionary in the places they live, bearing witness to Christ at home, at school, at work, and everywhere they go.
He urged them to do this “so that everywhere – in the forests, villages and cities – the beauty of the landscape is matched by the beauty of a community where people love one another.”
Doing this will help foster harmony and overcome divisions, whether they be personal or tribal, he said, saying it will also help “to drive out fear, superstition and magic from people’s hearts, to put an end to destructive behaviours such as violence, infidelity, exploitation, alcohol and drug abuse”.
Sorcery and dark magic are still common in Papua New Guinea, with some of those who practice them resorting to violence. On the other hand, those falsely accused of these practices can also face stigmatisation and violence.
Pope Francis flew to Vanimo, located in the northwestern Sandaun Province, near the border with Indonesia, after celebrating Mass in Port Moresby yesterday and holding a brief private meeting with the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, James Marape.
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Suitcase-packing Pope delivers material and spiritual aid to the margins (By Elise Ann Allen, Crux)
