Pope to visit NCD and Vanimo

By ZARA KANU LEBO
HEAD of the world’s Catholic church, Pope Francis, is visiting Port Moresby and Vanimo, West Sepik, from Sept 6-9, Archbishop of Port Moresby Sir John Cardinal Ribat has confirmed.
“Working committees have been set up to prepare for the visit by the Holy See’,” Ribat told a news conference yesterday.
Pope Francis will be the second pope to visit Papua New Guinea after John Paul II (1984).
Ribat said the pope’s visit was significant, given the challenges the nation was going through.
The pope would stop over in Jakarta, Indonesia, from Sept 3-6 before coming to PNG and later to Timor-Leste and Singapore before returning to the Vatican City.
“The host diocese will be Port Moresby, as we will receive the Holy Father, and the preparation for his coming is an immense effort for the diocese.
“Preparation is important, because he is 87 years old. And despite his health, he has confirmed his visit, so I am now announcing this publicly so everyone knows.
“This is an official State visit. Pope Francis is a spiritual leader, recognised around the world for his work towards peace, prayer and missionary.
“He comes to us with blessing and hope despite all the challenges our nation is facing.”
A statement from the Holy See last Friday said the Vatican said the pope had accepted an invitation from PNG and would visit the country for three days.
In March, Prime Minister James Marape in his initial meet with an advance team from the Vatican had discussed proposed arrangements, security, the travel itinerary and the date for the visit.
Ribat said security would be taken care of by the Government.
Rev Bishop Francis Meli of the Vanimo diocese said they would work with the Government on the arrangements for the visit.
“The pope always speaks about the remotest places of a country and Vanimo is regarded as one of the disadvantaged provinces in PNG.
“The pope will meet with Catholic communities at the Holy Trinity Baro parish and also visit a safe house.”
A tentative programme indicated that Pope Francis will arrive Jakarta on Sept 7, pays a courtesy call on the Governor-General in the morning before meeting with heads of State at the Apec Haus. In the evening, he will meet with the PNG Council of Churches leaders.
On Sept 8, the pope will meet with Prime Minister Marape before attending a main Eucharistic celebration alongside Sir John Cardinal Ribat at the Sir John Guise Stadium.
He then flies to Vanimo for a gathering at the Baro parish, returning the same afternoon.
On Sept 9, Pope Francis will attend a youth festival at the Sir John Guise Stadium before jetting off to Timor-Leste.
A team from the Vatican will arrive in June to assess preparation work.