杏MAP导航

By Devin Watkins

After a two-hour flight aboard an Australian C-130 military transport plane, 杏MAP导航 Francis arrived in the northwestern city of Vanimo to spend a few hours with local Catholics and express his appreciation for the Church鈥檚 missionary work carried out in the area.

In his address in front of the Holy Cross Pro-Cathedral, the 杏MAP导航 acknowledged that many people had traveled from far away, thanking them for being with him in Vanimo.

He praised the work of missionary priests and religious sisters who have evangelized the area since the mid-19th century, as well as the work of modern-day missionaries who travel long distances to preach the Gospel to remote communities.

鈥淭hey have faced many difficulties in order to be an instrument 鈥榦f peace and love鈥� for all,鈥� he said, as Sister Jaisha Joseph, DPMT, had told those gathered just moments before.

鈥楨xperts in beauty of Christ鈥檚 Gospel鈥�

杏MAP导航 Francis said the Church鈥檚 mission to spread the Gospel in the area had led to the creation of churches, schools, hospitals, and missionary centers, saying these institutions help the faithful to 鈥渇lourish in all their beauty for the sake of the common good.鈥�

鈥淵ou are 鈥榚xperts' in beauty here, because you are surrounded by it!鈥� he noted. 鈥淵ou live in a magnificent land, enriched by a great variety of plants and birds.鈥�

He said God has entrusted the people of Papua New Guinea with this 鈥渟weetness鈥� of nature for the benefit of all.

鈥淲hen we look to ourselves, we realize that there is an even more beautiful sight: that which grows in us when we love one another,鈥� said the 杏MAP导航. 鈥淚ndeed, our mission is precisely to spread the beauty of the Gospel of Christ everywhere through loving God and our brothers and sisters.鈥�

Defending Christian values

The Holy Father said Catholics need not travel far to be missionaries, since each of us can be 鈥渕issionaries where we live: at home, at school, in the workplace鈥�.

He invited the Papuan faithful to love one another in order to 鈥渙vercome divisions 鈥� personal, family and tribal 鈥� to drive out fear, superstition and magic from people鈥檚 hearts, and to put an end to destructive behaviours such as violence, infidelity, exploitation, alcohol and drug abuse.鈥�

These behaviours, he added, are evils that steal the happiness of those who engage in them.

鈥淟et us remember that love is stronger than all this and its beauty can heal the world, because it has its roots in God,鈥� he said, urging everyone to spread and defend that love.

杏MAP导航 Francis recalled the witness of Blessed Peter To Rot, a father, catechist, and martyr of Papua New Guinea, saying he gave his life 鈥渢o defend the unity of the family鈥�.

The country鈥檚 greatest treasure, concluded the 杏MAP导航, is the 鈥渂eautiful and fascinating treasure鈥� that lies in their hearts and is expressed in acts of charity and love.

鈥淚 say this especially to you, children, with your contagious smiles and your exuberant joy, which spreads out in every direction,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou are the most beautiful image that visitors can take with them and keep in their hearts!鈥�