'Pope of the People': Pacific leaders mourn passing of a pontiff

Tributes continue to pour in for Pope Francis as Pacific government and church leaders join the world in mourning the passing of the head of the Catholic Church.

The Vatican announced that the Pope passed away on Monday at the age of 88 after a long illness.

Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister, James Marape, expressed his heartfelt condolences to the global Catholic community.

Marape described the immense impact the Pope had, not only on Catholics but on all of humanity, seeing him as a guiding light during challenging times.

The prime minister says the pope's death is pivotal for the Catholic Church and the world.

He says the Pope was more than just a leader for over a billion Catholics. He was "serving as a spiritual father whose humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to justice resonated far beyond the Church’s confines. He was a Pope of the people.

"His legacy extends into the realms of environmental stewardship, peace advocacy, and social justice, leaving an indelible mark on the global landscape," Marape says.

Reverend James Bhagwan, of the Pacific Conference of Churches, lauded Pope Francis as “an inspiration” for his ecumenical spirit and dedication to social and ecological justice.

He emphasised the Pope's compassionate leadership and lasting legacy for the Pasifika community.

"These tributes underscore Pope Francis' profound influence across the Pacific, particularly through his advocacy for environmental stewardship, social justice, and interfaith dialogue.

"His 2024 Asia-Pacific tour, the longest of his papacy, left an indelible mark on the region's faithful and leaders alike."

Fiji's Archbishop Peter Loy Chong remembered Pope Francis' concern for the Pacific Islands' environmental challenges. He noted the Pope's commitment to addressing climate change and solidarity with vulnerable communities facing rising sea levels.

Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and her deputy, Josh Tenorio, issued a statement saying Pope Francis has left behind a powerful legacy that will "continue to shape the way we lead, live, and connect with each other".

"Not only was he the head of the Catholic church, but he was also a global leader who often took bold stances on world issues, bringing a perspective shaped by his strong Christian values and principles."

Bishop Rozario Menezes, of Lae, expressed deep sorrow over the Pope’s death, emphasising the inspiration drawn from his 2024 visit. "During that trip, Pope Francis called for the fair treatment of workers and an end to ethnic violence, underscoring the need for inclusive development in the resource-rich nation."

Pope Francis delivers his speech at APEC Haus in Port Moresby on 7 September, 2024. Photo/Mark Baker

Catholic communities in the Solomon Islands also mourn the Pope's passing, recalling the significant impact of his 2024 visit to neighbouring Papua New Guinea. Many Solomon Islanders had travelled to witness the Pope, reflecting the deep regional connection to his message.

Pope Francis visited PNG last September, and Marape says many Papua New Guineans are grieving his loss.

In his tribute, Marape recalled that the historical event was not just a regular trip, but "a transformative encounter for the nation, leaving a lasting impression on the hearts and minds of many.

"The Pope’s engagements in Port Moresby and Vanimo were infused with messages of unity, inclusion, and hope - values that resonate deeply in Papua New Guinea’s diverse society.

"Pope Francis’s public Mass at Sir John Guise Stadium was a highlight of his visit, drawing people together in a unified expression of faith and community.

"His interactions with the youth and church leaders served to inspire and invigorate a collective conscience, urging attendees to embrace the virtues of humility, justice, and care for the vulnerable.

Pope Francis' visit to Timor-Leste's capital, Dili, lives large in the memory of the locals. Photo/Willy Kurniawan

“His words and presence reminded us to care for the vulnerable, to act justly, and to walk humbly with God,” Marape says, highlighting the Pope’s enduring influence on the principles of leadership and service.

Francis also visited Timor-Leste last year, and President José Ramos-Horta described the Pope’s passing as a “tremendous loss” for the world. He highlighted Pope Francis' 2024 visit to Dili, which drew over 600,000 attendees and was the largest public event since the country's independence in 2002.

Ramos-Horta praised the Pope's advocacy for justice, peace, and the marginalised, noting his final words during the visit: “Look after these wonderful people”.

RNZ Pacific earlier reported that Arnold Palacios, the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, paid tribute to the late Pope's leadership of the Catholic church, saying it had ushered in a culture of compassion and moral courage. "Pope Francis continually used his international platform to advocate for and speak for marginalised populations and vulnerable groups."

The report states that Chalan Kanoa diocese bishop, Romeo Convocar, says the Pope "challenged us to serve the most vulnerable and inspired a new era of faith, inspiring us to walk together as a synodal church. As we mourn Pope Francis' passing, let us remember that Pope Francis' leadership transformed the church with compassion, humility, and mercy."

RNZ Pacific also reported that Guam's Metropolitan Archbishop of Agaña, Ryan Jimenez, says his flock joins the rest of the church and many others worldwide in mourning Pope Francis' passing.

Watch Sister Daisy Anne Lisania Augustine as she shares her hope that Pope Francis’ visit to PNG will positively impact how women are treated in the country.

"His absence already leaves a big hole in our hearts...Even as we hang our heads in sorrow, however, we do so with fervent prayer and deep gratitude to our loving God for the gift of this holy man, Jorge Mario Bergoglio."

Bishop Convocar, the head of the Catholic church in the CNMI, says the memorial service in the Chalan Kanoa diocese for the repose of Pope Francis' soul will be announced later.

As Papua New Guinea joins the world in mourning, Marape conveyed solidarity with the College of Cardinals, the Vatican, and Catholics everywhere.

"The spirit of grief is palpable, yet it is tempered by a profound sense of gratitude for the life dedicated to service that Pope Francis exemplified.

“He lived and died in service to God and humanity, and he now rests in eternal peace,” the prime minister says.

Thousands of people have been gathering in St Peter's Square to offer prayers following the passing of the Pope on Monday. Photo/VaticanMedia

Marape encouraged everyone to look to Pope Francis as a role model, stressing the importance of humility in leadership, compassion in serving others, and active faith in our lives.

Earlier this month, and not long after his release from the hospital, Pope Francis approved the canonisation of Peter ToRot as PNG's first saint.

The Vatican announced that the Pope died at Casa Santa Marta, a guesthouse near St Peter's Basilica where he has lived since his election in 2013.

On Easter Monday, Vatican time, the rite of the Declaration of Death took place in the Vatican, and the late pope's body was placed in his coffin. He will lie in state for three days at St Peter's Basilica.

The process of selecting a new pope, called a conclave, usually takes two to three weeks.

The planned canonisation of Peter ToRot follows Pope Francis's historic visit to Port Moresby last year. Photo/Gregorio Borgia