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Pope´s visit to Papua New Guinea (Port Moresby and Vanimo) from September 6 to 9
It should be noted that Papua is an island politically divided in two: the western part belongs to Indonesia, and the eastern part, Papua New Guinea, has been independent for 46 years and where Christians are the majority. In the western part, under Indonesian control, Christians are completely dispossessed of their land. The Christians there are the Papuans, who are exactly the same as those in Papua New Guinea. But these Christians are becoming minorities on their own land and see their rights being violated one after another by the Indonesian government.
As for Papua New Guinea, where the Pope will visit, it is composed of 90% Christians, with 64% of the population being Protestant and 26% identifying as Roman Catholic. It is a young church, the result of Catholic and Protestant missions that were established more than 130 years ago, with the outcome that Christianity has taken root everywhere, with a fascinating acculturation. The Papuans consider themselves authentically Christian, they love their religion, and they hold magnificent processions, with traditional Papuan attire and the Bible held high. The beauty of this new religion in New Guinea will be celebrated by the Pope's visit. "Prayer" will be the theme of the visit to Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea is a culturally rich and diverse nation, home to over 800 distinct languages and numerous indigenous communities, making it one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. The country has a unique blend of traditional cultures, with many communities still practicing ancient customs and rituals. Christianity is the dominant religion, though indigenous beliefs are still practiced in some areas. Papua New Guinea boasts vast natural resources and biodiversity, with tropical rainforests, mountain ranges, and coral reefs. However, the nation faces serious environmental threats, including deforestation, mining impacts, and climate change. Papua New Guinea has also experienced internal conflicts, including tribal clashes and land disputes, as well as tensions between local populations and multinational corporations, with the government working towards addressing these issues.