Pope Francis landed in Papua New Guinea on Friday evening, marking the second stop on his 12-day apostolic journey through Asia and Oceania, amid emerging reports of a failed assassination attempt during his visit to Indonesia. Pope arrived at Jacksons International Airport in Port Moresby after a six-hour flight from Jakarta, Indonesia, greeted by women of the Mekeo tribe in traditional attire.
Following a formal welcome by Papua New Guinea’s Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso and other dignitaries, Pope Francis was met by Cardinal John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby, and members of the Bishops' Conference of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Prelates from neighboring Oceania countries, including Tonga, Fiji, and New Zealand, were also present to welcome him to the region. Crowds gathered outside the airport, holding candles and phones, eager to catch a glimpse of the Pope before his scheduled public engagements.
During his three-day stay, Pope Francis is set to meet with civil leaders and Catholic communities in both Port Moresby and the remote town of Vanimo. He will also visit the Sanctuary of Our Lady Help of Christians to meet with priests, deacons, religious orders, and catechists. The visit will culminate in the celebration of Sunday Mass at Sir John Guise Stadium.
Local clergy expressed their hopes for the spiritual impact of Pope’s visit. Father Gregorio Bicomong Jr., SDB, expressed optimism that Pope Francis would address issues such as family, forgiveness, and faithfulness to Christ, while hoping the visit would strengthen the faith of the people of Papua New Guinea. The nation, where 96% of the population identifies as Christian, has faced political instability in recent months, including the “Black Wednesday” riots in January, which resulted in over a dozen deaths.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, seven individuals were arrested in Jakarta between September 2-3 after authorities were alerted to a potential attack on Pope Francis. One of the suspects, allegedly linked to a terror group, was reportedly angered by Pope's visit to Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. During his time in Indonesia, Pope Francis signed a joint declaration with Muslim leader Grand Imam Nasaruddin Umar, condemning violence in the name of religion.