Papuans’ excitement and expectations from Pope Francis’ visit are great, according to Montfort Missionary Bishop Rozario Menezes, SMM.

He believes the Pope will leave a long-standing mark in the Pacific nation, which is facing several challenges and social ills, including poverty, corruption, sorcery-related violence, and now climate change.

Bishop Menezes comes from India and is the Bishop of the northeastern Diocese of Lae, the second largest city after Port Moresby.

He spoke to Vatican News’ Delphine Allaire about how the Papuan parishes have prepared spiritually for this long-awaited visit and described the enthusiasm of so many faithful who have gone to great lengths to be part of the event.

Coming together as one family

Several pilgrims have travelled long distances, even on foot, from the most remote parishes of the country to join Pope Francis in Port Moresby, where he will preside Mass on Sunday at the Sir John Guise Stadium.

They consider themselves “pilgrims of hope,” Bishop Menezes said. “Their hope is that the visit will bring the whole country together” and that Pope Francis will help this Christian-majority nation feel as “one family.”

This enthusiasm and participation, he explained, reflects one of the main features of Papuan culture, which is hospitality.

“People are feeling that a holy man is coming to our land and you can feel Papuan hospitality. So that is why people are coming: so that they can be part of this big event.”

Poverty, corruption and climate change

According to the Indian-born Bishop, the Pope's visit will help the Ocenian country change its approach to many urgent problems and social ills.

Though rich in natural resources, he explained, Papua New Guinea suffers from widespread poverty due to government mismanagement, corruption, and a lack of transparency surrounding seabed mining polluting the ocean.

The Church is also concerned about the protection of the environment. The archipelago is on the frontlines of climate change, with rising sea levels threatening many islands, and Papuan bishops have also been very vocal against seabed mining polluting the ocean and further threatening the livelihoods of many people.

“As Church, we are calling on all stakeholders, to pay attention to nature so that we don't contribute to its destruction, but we try to protect it.”

Sorcery-related violence

"Another big issue of concern for the Church in Papua New Guinea is sorcery-related violence (especially against women, ed.), which is deeply rooted in Papuans’ culture and which the Church has long been trying to eradicate."People are often accused of witchcraft and are tortured. There is no respect for life and this is wrong," he said.

Bishop Menezes said he is confident that Pope Francis’ words will have a long-term impact on Papuan leaders and people, because “he is very much listened in the world.”

“We hope and pray that his message will be able to help people convert, change and become better so that Papuans have a better life,” Bishop Menezes concluded.