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.