Pope Francis Begins Papua New Guinea Visit

Pope Francis has arrived in Papua New Guinea, becoming the second pope to visit the country, following St. John Paul II's visit in 1984. His arrival was marked by a cannon salute and a welcoming ceremony in Port Moresby, where he will spend three days addressing key issues, including climate change, which has significantly impacted the nation. Prior to this, the Pope's visit to Indonesia included a Mass attended by over 100,000 people, exceeding initial expectations. Security concerns arose during his Indonesia trip, with police detaining individuals suspected of planning threats against papal events. The Pope's itinerary includes meetings with political leaders and a visit to the remote town of Vanimo, emphasizing his aim to reach Catholics in isolated communities. This trip is part of his longer 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, focusing on building a global Catholic presence.