President ofthe Catholic Beushops Conference of Port Moresby and Solomon Islands welcomedthe election ofthe new head of Catholic Church, Pope Francisthe First.
He saidthe life of Argentina Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio now Pope Francisthe First is a demonstration of humbleness and humility andthe church in Papua New Guineaand Solomon Islands was happy to work with him.
WhilPNG did not have a representation atthe conclave, Australian Cardinal George Pearl representedthe Pacific region.
Archbishop Ribat saidthe new pope’s invitation to pray for him andthe church after his election was good news andthe church in PNG and Solomon Islands is united in prayer.
He is futher humbled for the fact thatthe new Pope opted to adoptthe name of St Francis of Assisi who saw his calling as trying to rebuildthe church in a time of turmoil.
Archbishop Ribat says name is fitting asthe church is going through a tough time.
The new Pope will be installed atthe ST Peter’s basilica onthe 19th of this month and it falls onthe feast day of St Joseph, who isthe Patron saint ofthe Universal Church.
General Secretary ofthe Catholic Beushops Conference Fr Victor Roche also joined Ribat in welcomingthe new Pope.
Ruth Rungula, National EMTV News
https://youtube.com/watch?v=5ks96iPpRlo%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
