On behalf of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva, I convey our deepest condolence to friends and families of Pope Francis and the whole Roman Catholic Church on the death of our dear Holy Father, Pope Francis.
I was attracted and touched by Pope Francis’ ministry when we accompanied him during his visit to Papua New Guinea from the 6th to the 9th of September, 2024.
The late Pope Francis’ vulnerability and his closeness to people who are vulnerable is a key theme that I take away from his pastoral visit to Papua New Guinea.
He would move around in his wheel chair; he had to make two movements to get up from his chair at the Shrine of Mary Help of Christians Church, but he did it with a sense of humor, joy and comfort.
Pope Francis gifted people with his very presence. As he moved up or down the aisle in the stadium or church; he would shake hands, kiss and embrace people as he would take a few minutes to greet a mass of people and being present to the Holy Spirit.
He embraced his own vulnerability as he often asked people to pray for him.
Pope Francis’ vulnerability, his closeness and presence to people who are vulnerable exemplifies a form of power that draws and touches the hearts of people.
He shows that vulnerability is form of power that invites and moves peoples’ hearts.
Pope Francis followed very closely Jesus’ vulnerable path to the cross – like Christ’s passion, he ministered to people in his own vulnerability.
𝐈 𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐏𝐨𝐩𝐞 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐬’ 𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐏𝐚𝐩𝐮𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐚:
- COMPASSION: Pope Francis, while limited to his wheel chair still ministered Jesus’ compassion – that is, to suffer with peoples. He practiced what St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians 2:6-7 says about Jesus – ‘Who, being in the form of God, did not count equality with God, something to be grasped. But he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming as human beings are; and being in every way like a human being.’
- TENDERNESS: Jesus reached out to vulnerable peoples and those on the periphery. Pope Frances comfortably touches, embraces, gazes on peoples face with a gentle smile. He did not make rousing speeches or sermons like some rockstar evangelist but his speaks with authority because he speaks gently from his heart. His voice is a mother’s gentle voice to her children. His face is that of a lover reaching out to his beloved, the people of God.
- CLOSENESS: God is close to vulnerable peoples. God always takes the side of victims. Pope Francis’ pastoral visits exemplified God’s closeness to victims of injustices. He reached out to those who are far away, he brought them close to him, he broke social boundaries, he gave hope to the lowly peoples.
- COUNTER ‘UGLY’ INDIFFERENCE – EGO-CENTRICISM
Pope Francis gave a very clear prophetic message and challenge to the sin of ‘ugly’ indifference. He explained that indifference is thinking only about yourself, self-centeredness and ego-centeredness.
- NATURAL RESOURCES ARE FOR THE COMMON GOOD: Pope Francis is prophetic. Addressing political and business leaders, Pope Francis’ pointed to Papua New Guinea’s cultural richness as well as the richness in natural resources – vast reserves of gold, copper, nickel, gas and timber. He stated that the tens of billions of dollars made from digging, dredging and drilling and mining the earth must benefit all peoples, especially the poor and not only the few rich people. The Pope said “These goods (natural resources) are destined by God for the entire community.”
- THE OCEAN IS AT THE PERIPHERY BUT IS ALSO THE CENTER OF GOD’S HEART: Pope Francis gave a message of hope and challenge to Oceania Island peoples; he said, Oceania is far out in the ocean, distant from the rest of the world but at the center of God’s heart. The Pope’s care for the Ocean resonates with the scientific view that if we are care for the earth, the ocean is the first ecosystem that we should protect.
- BEAUTY OF BEING PRESENT: Pope Francis thanked the youths for the beauty of their presence. At the same time the Pope exemplified that beauty, he was joyfully present to the young people. Pope not only teaches about encounter, he practices encounter. He teaches that encounter is slow and takes time. Pope practiced encounter as he dialogued and conversed with the 10,000 youths at the Sir John Guise Stadium, Port Moresby. He was present and enjoyed the youth encounter.
- POPE’S VULNERABILITY: Pope Francis embraced his vulnerability. While he promised to pray for the youths, he also asked the youths to pray for him as well. The Pope’s vulnerability had an impact on how the crowds of people embraced each other with respect and love. Edwina Kotoisuva (Fijian) who lives and works in Port Moresby had this to say: “I have attended many big events in PNG, but the Pope’s visit was different. People were not rushing and pushing one another, rather there was a sense of friendship, respect and love in the masses of peoples moving into the stadium.”
- YOUTH FRIENDLY POPE & CHURCH: Pope Francis enjoyed his encounter with the youths. He was informal and relaxed; he left his notes and spoke personally and directly to youths. He had the young people close to his heart. Pope Francis modelled how the church and society should be youth friendly.
- FALL AND GET UP – HELP THOSE WHO FALL: Pope Francis gave a clear message of hope to young people – we all make mistakes. But more important, we must get up and help others get up. He repeated this key message a number of times before waving good bye to the young people.
Our dear Holy Father, Pope Francis, we thank you for embracing the people of Oceania in your ministry. May the ocean of God’s love embrace and carry you to heaven.
Rest In Peace –Your Holiness, Pope Francis,
