Pope Francis, the head of the Catholic Church is now in country after touching down in Port Moresby city at around 7:20pm this evening at the Jackson International Airport to start his three days visit, which will include a trip to Vanimo in West Sepik province on Sunday.
The Pope arrived on board the Garuda Indonesia airline, travelling in from Indonesia from his visit there.
There to receive him was Deputy Prime Minister (PM), John Rosso in place of PM James Marape who is observing his sabbath and unable to receive the Pope himself.
Although his Holiness was on a wheelchair, that didn’t stop him from attending the guard of honour ceremony for him provided by the Papua New Guinea Defence Force at the APEC Terminal.
The Pope later met the Papua New Guinea (PNG) dignitaries that were there to receive him, including Foreign Affairs Minister Justin Tkatchenko and NCD Governor Powes Parkop, and the Bishops and Cardinal John Ribat. The Pope then retired for the evening and departed for the Apostolic Nunciature.
Tomorrow, the Pope will commence his day with a visitation to the Government House in Konedobu to meet with Governor General, Sir Bob Dadae and then head over to the APEC Haus where he will have a meet and greet with the Heads of Government of the Pacific Island countries, who have also arrived in country during the day.
Meantime earlier in the afternoon, Catholic faithfuls gathered as early as 4pm, lined up along the route that the Pope will take on his way to his place of residence.
Outside the Jackson International Airport in Port Moresby, many waited for his Holiness Pope Francis to arrive. The group consisted of the various parishes in the city and from the dioceses from the provinces who travelled in to see the Pope arrive and attend the service on Sunday.
Groups from Madang, Wewak, Bereina in Central province and even Jiwaka where out to welcome the Pope. One thing that was clear from all the people waiting; is that his visit to PNG will bring about peace, love and unity, especially at time when the country is currently facing economic and social problems.