‘Pope Francis’ love for the people of PNG will cement them in faith’
Vatican news
An Australian couple attending Pope Francis’ Mass in Port Moresby tell Vatican News how much the Holy Father loves the people of Papua New Guinea and how his presence will strengthen the faith of the nation’s faithful, who are moved that he has travelled so far to be with them.
By Linda Bordoni and Deborah Castellano Lubov
“Papua New Guineans are a people of faith and belief, and to see that the Pope himself has come here, out of love for them, and is celebrating this Eucharist and other celebrations with them, is something that will really strengthen their faith and really be a sign of the living Holy Spirit.”
This was stated by Amanda and John, an Australian couple present at the Holy Father’s Mass in Port Moresby on Sunday, during his apostolic journey to Asia and Oceania. “We are very happy to come and see him,” they said.
Speaking to Linda Bordoni of Vatican News, the couple explained that they belong to the Neocatechumenal community and that, although they are originally from Melbourne, they were on mission in Alotau Milne Bay from 2014 to 2017.
An important moment for PNG faithful
“Our mission,” they said, “was basically to announce the Good News of Jesus Christ. We have five children. We have one in heaven, and we were simply called to live and be a sign of Christ among people.”
They expressed their joy at seeing Pope Francis among the nation’s faithful.
“We are dealing,” they noted, “with a country that would find it very difficult, if not impossible, to visit the Pope in Rome.”
“So it’s a very important moment for Papua New Guineans to be here and see that he has a great love for the people, which led him to come here and spend time with them,” they said.
Pope Francis celebrates Mass for the faithful of Papua New Guinea
Vatican news
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