Native dancers welcome Pope to Papua New Guinea
Native dancers welcome Pope to Papua New Guinea
PORT MORESBY (Reuter): Pope John Paul arrived in the South
Pacific nation of Papua New Guinea yesterday, cheered by
thousands of bare-footed villagers who trekked to the airport to
greet the Pontiff on the second leg of his four-nation tour.
Waving small Vatican and Papua New Guinea national flags, the
crowd of around 30,000 gave a raucous welcome to the 74-year-old
Pope as he stepped from his plane into the sticky heat of a
tropical summer in the capital, Port Moresby.
Known affectionately in the local pidgin as "Papa Santu", the
Pope waved to the crowd after a triumphant visit to the
Philippines where he drew the biggest crowd of his 17-year
Papacy, celebrating mass with four million ecstatic followers.
He was led down steps from the aircraft by a church official
to be greeted by a welcoming party that included Prime Minister
Sir Julius Chan.
Bare-breasted women dancers wearing colorful Bird of Paradise
plumes and grass skirts, beating hour-glass shaped drums,
performed traditional ceremonies dating back thousands of years.
Palm leaves and vines bearing bright pink flowers decorated
the airport and were tied to telephone poles and lamp posts along
the pot-holed road leading into the city center. People climbed
trees and onto roofs to get a glimpse of the Pope.
Papua New Guinea's one million Catholics make up the largest
religious group in the four million population, but much of this
rugged, jungle-clad country is still strongly influenced by
spirit worship.
Yet word of the Pontiff's second visit to Papua New Guinea in
10 years has attracted thousands from all denominations to Port
Moresby as the Pope is revered as a powerful or "Big Man" in
Melanesian culture.
The Pontiff will spend three days in Papua New Guinea, with
the highlight of his visit the beatification of the South
Pacific's first saint, Peter ToRot, today which has been declared
a public holiday in Port Moresby.
Tight security
Security is tight for the visit after Philippines police
uncovered an alleged assassination plot but, in typical
Melanesian style, the atmosphere at the airport was relaxed. An
open-air converted utility truck will serve as the Popemobile.
"We want all the people to see the Pope," said Stephen
Baranpathaz, media director for the Papal tour, told Reuters
before the Pope's arrival.
Baranpathaz said last-minute modifications were made to the
Popemobile, such as the inclusion of a seat and canopy.
"There will be two cars. The Popemobile for short distances
and a covered car for long trips," Baranpathaz said.
Some Port Moresby residents have voiced concern that the Pope
could be injured traveling in an open utility truck along the
city's neglected roads.
Papal organizers said they wanted to keep the tour "modest".
"In fact, we want all Papua New Guineans to be part of this
visit," Papal Taskforce chairman Larry Hulo said.
Security officials said operations to ensure the Pope's safety
had been running since December.
"We believe we have covered all angles and probabilities for
any contingency that may happen to the Pope," police chief
superintendent Denis Samin said.
But he warned the 150 journalists in town to cover the tour
not to venture out at night without a guide in Port Moresby.
The Pope leaves tomorrow for Australia.