‘No to arms, yes to meeting among peoples’ in Asia-Pacific

The exhortation during the Angelus, at the end of the Mass he celebrated in the Port Moresby stadium. The message to the Papuan faithful: “You are not isolated, here too the Lord is close to you.” The meeting with the missionaries took place on the extreme border of Vanimo and he recalled the example of the martyr Giovanni Mazzucconi, ready to do anything to bring the message of salvation of the Gospel, together with that of the local catechist Peter To Rot, also blessed, who gave his life to defend the family.

Port Moresby () – “No to arms and the exploitation of our common home. Yes to the encounter between peoples and cultures; yes to the harmony of man with his creatures,” Pope Francis called this morning from Port Moresby for all the peoples of the world, and in particular “for this great region of the world between Asia, Oceania and the Pacific Ocean. Peace, peace for the nations and also for creation,” said the pontiff before reciting the Angelus and after the beautiful Eucharistic liturgy that he presided over at the Sir John Guise stadium in front of 35,000 people. A lively celebration adorned with the traditional costumes and dances of the peoples of the archipelago.

In his homily, Francis reflected on the Gospel passage today, which speaks of the healing of the deaf-mute, and returned to the theme of isolation, a situation so common for people living in this region of the world. The Decapolis, where the man on whom Jesus performed this miracle lived, was also “in a geographical area that, in today’s language, we would call ‘periphery’,” the pontiff commented. And in Papua New Guinea too, there are many places that can only be reached after hours of walking through the jungle or sailing on a boat. But there is an even more painful isolation, the Pope explained: that of those who “separate themselves from communion and friendship with God and with their brothers.” And to this isolation God “responds with the closeness of Jesus.”

“And you brothers and sisters, who live in this far-off land,” said Francis, “perhaps you have the impression of being separated, separated from the Lord, separated from men, but it is not so, no: you are united, united in the Holy Spirit, united in the Lord! And the Lord says to each one of you: ‘Open up’. That is the most important thing: to open up to God, to open up to our brothers, to open up to the Gospel and make it the compass of our life. To you too today the Lord says: ‘Courage, do not be afraid, Papuan people! Open up! Open up to the joy of the Gospel, open up to the encounter with God, open up to the love of our brothers’.”

In his homily at Mass in Port Moresby Stadium, Francis again pointed to the example of Blessed Giovanni Battista Mazzucconi, the first martyr of the PIME, killed in 1855 when he arrived at Woodlark Island “so that no one – said the Pope – would be deaf to the joyful message of salvation, and that everyone’s tongue might be loosed to sing of God’s love. May it be so, today, for you too.”

Because the mission ad gentes, the decision to leave everything to go and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus, has never been interrupted in Papua New Guinea. And Francis himself wanted to demonstrate this this afternoon by going to Vanimo, an even more isolated diocese in Papua New Guinea, on the border with Indonesia. He arrived there on board a military cargo plane made available by the Australian Air Force. Addressing the local Catholic community on the esplanade in front of the small cathedral, the Pope recalled that “religious men and women, catechists and lay missionaries have not ceased to preach the Word of God and to offer help to their brothers and sisters, in pastoral care, in education, in health and in many other areas, facing many difficulties, in order to be an instrument of peace and love for all.”

But it is a task that each one is called to carry out also where he lives, forming “a great orchestra”, like the one that welcomed him during his visit to his Argentine missionary friends in the parish of Baro, where Francis wanted to go bringing aid and medicines, but also Bibles, rosaries and some musical instruments. Because together it is possible to “recompose rivalries, overcome divisions – personal, family and tribal -; banish fear, superstition and magic from the hearts of people; put an end to destructive behaviour such as violence, infidelity, exploitation, the use of alcohol and drugs: evils that imprison and make unhappy many brothers and sisters, here too.”

Love is stronger and “its beauty can heal the world,” the Pope explained. And in Papua New Guinea, this is also demonstrated by another great example of holiness embodied in the local culture: Blessed Peter To Rot, “husband, father, catechist and martyr of this land, who gave his life precisely to defend the unity of the family against those who wanted to undermine its foundations,” recalled Francis.

Saying goodbye to Vanimo and its unspoilt nature, the Pope recalled the word “paradise” that many tourists associate with such beauty. “But we know,” he added, “that the greatest treasure is not that. There is another, more beautiful and fascinating one, which is found in the hearts of all of you and which is manifested in the charity with which you love one another. This is the most precious gift that you can share and make known to everyone, making Papua New Guinea famous not only for its variety of flora and fauna, for its enchanting beaches and its clear sea, but also and above all for the good people who live here. I say this especially to you, children, with your contagious smiles and your overflowing joy that shines everywhere,” he concluded. “You are the most beautiful image that anyone who leaves here can take with him and keep in his heart.”