Papua New Guinea town elated at Pope Francis’ visit

Aug 22, 2024

Catholics and civil society members in a town in Papua New Guinea (PNG) that awaits Pope Francis’ apostolic visit in September have expressed immense joy in the opportunity to see the supreme pontiff in person, says a missionary priest.

Argentinian priest Miguel de la Calle said the local community in Vanimo, PNG, was delighted to be part of Pope Francis’ itinerary, the National reported on Aug. 22.

Francis is slated to visit the Queen of Paradise (QOP) Project in Baro when he visits Vanimo on Sept. 8. He is visiting Papua New Guinea from Sept. 6 to 8 as part of his four-nation apostolic visit to Southeast Asia.

Calle pointed out that Francis’ visit to the nation was both a “blessing for the whole country and [especially] for [those] in Vanimo,” adding that the pontiff’s visit to QOP was “a historical moment” for the young project.

“The children of the QOP Orchestra and Choir are very excited as Pope Francis is going to listen to them in person during his visit,” Calle emphasized.

Reportedly, the program has 70 children, some of whom are flutists, choir singers, and/or string orchestra players.

Maestro Jesus Briceño, who will conduct the five-minute mini orchestra has termed the children’s performance as “pure gold,” the National reported.

“We are preparing two pieces of music, one for the choir (Siyahamba, Andries Van Tonder) and one for the string orchestra (Pizzicato Polka, Johann Strauss),” Briceño said.

Francis is expected to pose for a picture with the children after the mini-concert and leave the QOP Hall to greet the parishioners and teachers of Holy Trinity Parish and School.

He will then return to Vanimo airport and fly to Port Moresby, the National reported.

Calle pointed out that Pope Francis who is also an Argentinian like him had known about [the] mission in PNG for a long time, and “had a great desire to visit” them in Vanimo.

Prado is a member of the Religious of the Institute of the Incarnate Word and is currently serving in Vanimo and its peripheries.

Earlier in August, the organizers of the papal visit to PNG had announced that a candlelight service is slated to take place ahead of Francis’ visit to welcome him on Sept. 6, the National reported.

The event will take place at sunset and is open for participation to people from all levels of society.

Cardinal John Ribat said that Francis’ visit would “bring hope, encouragement and blessings for the people,” and that the candlelight vigil is “a symbol of hope and faith” for the Catholics.

Bishop Rozario Menezes, chair of the papal visit committee, said Francis’ visit is “a moment to come together as a Church and a country to experience the blessings he brings,” the National reported.

As part of his trip, Francis is scheduled to meet Sir Bob Dadae, the Governor General who acts as the representative of Papua New Guinea’s monarch King Charles III of England.

Pope Francis will be the second pontiff to visit PNG after Pope John Paul II who visited the country in 1984 and 1995.--ucanews.com