Speech by Pope Francis to the authorities in Papua New Guinea

Below we offer the official version given by the Vatican of Pope Francis’ speech during the meeting with the authorities, with civil society and with the diplomatic corps of Papua New Guinea this September 7:

Mr. Governor General,

Mr. Prime Minister,

distinguished representatives of civil society,

gentlemen ambassadors:

I am very happy to be here with you today and to be able to visit Papua New Guinea. I thank the Governor General for his cordial words of welcome and all of you for the warm welcome you have extended to me. I address my greetings to all the inhabitants of the country, wishing them peace and prosperity. And I express from now on my gratitude to the authorities for the help they provide to many activities of the Church, in a spirit of mutual collaboration for the common good.

In your homeland – an archipelago with hundreds of islands – more than eight hundred languages ​​are spoken, corresponding to as many ethnic groups. This highlights an extraordinary cultural richness, and I confess that it is an aspect that captivates me greatly, also on a spiritual level, because I imagine that this enormous variety is a challenge for the Holy Spirit, who creates harmony among differences.

Thus, your country, in addition to islands and languages, is also rich in land and water resources. These goods are destined by God for the entire community and, although for their exploitation it is necessary to resort to broader powers and large international companies, it is right that they be duly taken into account in the distribution of income and the use of labor. the needs of local populations, so that there is an effective improvement in their living conditions.

This environmental and cultural wealth represents, at the same time, a great responsibility, because it commits everyone, rulers and citizens together, to favor all appropriate initiatives to valorize natural resources and human resources, in such a way that life can be given to sustainable and equitable development, which promotes the well-being of all, without excluding anyone, through concretely executable programs and through international cooperation, within a framework of reciprocal respect and with agreements beneficial to all.

The necessary condition to achieve these lasting results is the stability of the institutions, which is favored by agreement on certain essential points between the different conceptions and sensitivities present in society. Increasing institutional strength and building a consensus on fundamental goals is, in fact, a prerequisite for comprehensive and supportive development, which also requires a long-term vision and a climate of cooperation among all, without detriment to the distinction of the roles and in the difference of opinions.

I pray, in particular, for the cessation of tribal aggressions, which unfortunately cause many victims, do not allow us to live in peace and hinder development. Therefore, I appeal to everyone’s sense of responsibility to stop the spiral of violence and to decisively embark on the path that leads to fruitful cooperation, for the benefit of all the inhabitants of the country.

In the climate generated by these attitudes, the question of the status of the island of Bougainville may also find a definitive solution, avoiding the resurgence of old tensions. By consolidating harmony on the foundations of civil society and with the willingness of each person to sacrifice something of their own positions for the benefit of all, it will be possible to launch the essential forces to improve infrastructure, to address health and social needs. educational opportunities of the population and increase opportunities for decent work.

However, although we sometimes forget it, human beings, in addition to what is essential to live, need to have great hope in their hearts, which helps them live well, gives them the pleasure and strength to undertake wide-ranging projects. and allows you to raise your gaze upwards and towards broader horizons.

Without this truce of the soul, the abundance of material goods is not enough to give life to a vital and serene, hard-working and joyful society; On the contrary, it makes it close in on itself. The aridity of the heart makes her lose her way and forget the right scale of values, it takes away her momentum and blocks her – as happens in some opulent societies – to the point that it makes her lose hope in the future and she no longer finds the reasons. to transmit life and faith to future generations.

For this reason, it is necessary to orient the spirit towards greater realities; Our behaviors must be supported by an inner force that protects them from the risk of becoming corrupted and losing, along the way, the ability to recognize the meaning of one’s own actions and to carry them out with dedication and perseverance.

The values ​​of the spirit greatly influence the construction of the earthly city and all temporal realities, they infuse a soul – so to speak -, inspire and strengthen every project. The logo and motto of my visit to Papua New Guinea also reminds us of this. The motto expresses everything with a single word: “Pray” – “Pray”. Perhaps some, too observant of what is “politically correct”, may be surprised by this choice, but in reality they are wrong, because a people who pray has a future, drawing strength and hope from above. And also the emblem of the bird of paradise, in the logo of the trip, is a symbol of freedom, of that freedom that nothing and no one can suffocate because it is internal, and is guarded by God, who is love and wants his children to be free.

To all those who profess to be Christians – who are the vast majority of your people – I strongly urge you never to reduce your faith to an observance of rites and precepts, but rather to make it consist of loving and following Jesus Christ, and to become in lived culture, inspiring minds and actions, becoming a beacon of light that illuminates the journey. In this way, faith will be able to help the entire society to grow and find good and effective solutions to its great challenges.

Illustrious ladies and gentlemen, as Successor of the Apostle Peter, I have come to encourage the Catholic faithful to continue on their path and to confirm them in the faith. I have come to rejoice with them for the progress they are making and to share their difficulties; I am here, as Saint Paul would say, to “increase your joy” (2 Cor 1:24).

I congratulate the Christian communities for the works of charity they carry out in the country, and I urge them to always seek cooperation with public institutions and with all people of good will, starting with brothers and sisters belonging to other Christian confessions. and to other religions, for the common good of all citizens of Papua New Guinea.

The luminous testimony of Blessed Pedro To Rot, as Saint John Paul II said during the mass of his beatification, “teaches us to generously put ourselves at the service of others so that society develops in honesty and justice, in harmony and solidarity.” (cf. Homily, Port Moresby, January 17, 1995). May his example, together with that of Blessed Juan Mazzucconi, of PIME, and that of all the missionaries who have announced the Gospel in this land of yours, give you strength and hope.

May Saint Michael the Archangel, patron of Papua New Guinea, always watch over you and defend you from all danger, protect the authorities and all the citizens of this country.

Your Excellency, ladies and gentlemen:

I begin my visit among you with joy. I thank you for opening the doors of your beautiful country to me, so far from Rome and yet so close to the heart of the Catholic Church. Because at the heart of the Church is the love of Jesus Christ, who on the cross embraced all men. His Gospel is for all peoples, it is not tied to any earthly power, but is free to fertilize all cultures and make the Kingdom of God grow in the world, which is a Kingdom of justice, love and peace. May this Kingdom find full welcome in this land, so that all the peoples of Papua New Guinea, with the variety of their traditions, live together in harmony and give the world a sign of brotherhood.