Port Moresby, Sep 08 (V7N) - Pope Francis celebrated an open-air mass for tens of thousands of Papua New Guineans on Sunday, urging the nation "at the edge of the world" to embrace the Catholic faith.
 
The 87-year-old pontiff led approximately 35,000 people in prayer at Port Moresby’s main stadium during the latest leg of his 12-day Asia-Pacific tour. The crowd featured a vibrant mix of green-robed clergy, worshippers in formal attire, and local tribespeople adorned in traditional feathered headdresses and reed skirts, rhythmically playing kundu drums.
 
In his homily, Pope Francis reiterated his message of inclusivity, calling for those on the "periphery" to be drawn closer to the Catholic Church. “Brothers and sisters, you who live on this large island in the Pacific Ocean may sometimes feel distant and isolated,” he said. “Today, the Lord wants to be near you and bridge these distances.”
 
While over 90 percent of Papua New Guinea’s 12 million people identify as Christian, the faith coexists with various indigenous beliefs and customs. Approximately a quarter of the population is Catholic.
 
Later in the day, the pope is set to visit Vanimo, a remote town in Papua New Guinea's northwest, continuing his journey to the outer reaches of the region.
 
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