By Carmela Calling
A number of South Pacific nations, which are not well-known due to their small size, limited resources and geographic isolation, have praised the legacy of the late Pope Francis.
Speaking to the media, Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) Prime Minister James Marape extended his deepest condolences.
He recalled that Francis held a mass for tens of thousands of people at a stadium in the capital, Port Moresby, during his visit in September last year.
Francis also went to Vanimo, on PNG’s remote north-west coast, and handed out tonnes of humanitarian assistance and toys to the faithful and missionaries who lived there.
“His engagements with our young people and church leaders left an indelible impression on all who witnessed them,” the PNG leader said.
“His words and presence inspired our people, reminding us to care for the vulnerable, to act justly and to walk humbly with God,” he added.
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Fiji PM shares his sentiments
Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka also shared his sentiments saying that Fiji is in sympathy with people all across the world during this time of mourning.
“The impact of faith, compassion and service that the late Pope Francis left behind will continue to inspire generations within and beyond the Catholic Church,” he said.
Catholics in Fiji even gathered at Suva’s Sacred Heart Cathedral for a memorial ceremony for Francis.
In Niue, the territory’s one and only Catholic priest claimed that Francis “was the greatest pope of all time.”
“He was a marvelous man who was down to earth. His leadership within the Church was number one,” said Epiloka Pahia, father of the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church of Niue.
“The previous pontiffs were all smart but the smartest one was Pope Francis because he made complicated things easy.
“Our church is very hard to change. But his spiritual ways were very calm.
“He made things simple for the people but he did not change the origin of the faith,” he added, as cited by TV Niue.
Micronesia releases statement
The Federated States of Micronesia released a government statement noting that Francis “had not only affected the Catholic community but also on people of all faiths who were moved by his message of humility, and unity.”
“His courage to speak truth, to embrace the marginalised and to champion peace made him not only a religious head but a moral force of our time,” the notice reads.
Francis spent five weeks in hospital earlier this year suffering from double pneumonia and had appeared to be slowly recovering.
However, the Vatican on Tuesday recounted his last moments, saying death came quickly and he had not suffered.
Francis, whose real name is Jorge Mario Bergogli, died at 88, just hours after his Easter blessing.
He was the first Jesuit and Latin American pope.
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