Sharing issues and inspiring messages with Pope Francis
Port Moresby, PNG, 10 September 2024 -- An impressive program reflecting the issues and concerns of young people in Papua New Guinea unfolded before Pope Francis and around 15,000 young people at the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby on 9th of September 2024.
As he entered the stadium, the Holy Father was welcomed by representatives from the 22 provinces in traditional attire. Pamela Wambon, from the parish of Mary Help of Christians, Sabama was dressed in the Western province attire. A Kairuku cultural dance opened the program. In his address, Bishop of Kimbe, John Bosco Auram welcomed the Pope and highlighted the challenges of living according to Christian values in Papua New Guinea.
Youth voices were then expressed through verse, poetry, song, and dance. Accompanied by energetic music, a group of dancers from Islands of Hope showcased the beauty and vibrant life of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Four young characters then highlighted issues related to family, the environment, culture, and education.
The theme song, "Lord, Teach Us to Pray," composed by Fr. Angel Sanchez, SDB, and set to music and choreographed by Rica Lavilla, was then staged. Students from Don Bosco Technical School, Gabutu, were part of the dance group, and members of the audience joined in the meaningful actions.
The powerful testimonies of young people touched the hearts of the Holy Father and all present and their words resonated with the fellow youth. “Thank you for being authentic, transparent, and boldly speaking truthfully in front of Pope Francis. Your voices matter, and your testimonies have made a lasting impact o all who were fortunate to hear them”, said Bernard Mara.
Family and poverty were addressed by Bernadette Turmoni. "Abuse destroys the lives of young men and women. Those who suffer from it feel unloved and disrespected. They lose hope, and some may commit suicide or leave their families," she said. She also spoke about poverty in Papua New Guinea, a country rich in minerals.
Ryan Vulum spoke about broken families and the importance of receiving and persevering in the Sacrament of Marriage. He shared his dream of strong families where young people feel safe and encouraged everyone to help build a better Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea.
A young member of the Catholic Professionals, Patricia Harricknen-Korpok, spoke about the challenges of our time and the secular influences on society. She draws inspiration from older generations and follows in their footsteps, giving a voice to those on the margins of society.
The Holy Father then expressed his joy at being in a country full of young people and thanked them for their beautiful performance. He proposed two models for them to choose from: confusion and division or love and harmony with God and their brothers and sisters. Interacting with the thousands of young people present, he emphasized building harmony with God and others, stressing the importance of caring for grandparents. Reminding them of the many dialects in the country, he highlighted the language of love, the language of the heart, the language of closeness, and the language of service. "You must be ‘Wantoks of love’ and bring people together," he said, amidst cheers from the young people. He also used the image of climbing the mountain and encouraged them to rise whenever they fall, saying, "Don’t stay down," and urged them to lift their companions when they stumble or fall.
Before the arrival of the Holy Father, the young people were led in praise and worship. The program was organized by the National Youth Commission, Core Group. In thanking the organizers and young people, the Pope made special mention of Bishop Peter Baquero, SDB. "He is a Salesian and now dressed as a worker," he said, to applause from the many Bosconians and Salesians present at the event.
After blessing and speaking to the Catholic Professionals, Pope Francis left for the airport to travel to Timor-Leste, the third stop of his Apostolic Journey.
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