Pope Francis visits remote communities in Papua New Guinea, wearing a hat decorated with bird of paradise feathers.

The leader of the World Catholic Church and Head of State of the Vatican, Pope Francis, visited a remote community surrounded by forest in Papua New Guinea. Pope Francis urges an end to the violence, 'superstition and witchcraft' that is desecrating the place he likens to Eden, on Sunday 8 September 2024.

The 87-year-old pope landed in Vanimo, a coastal town a few degrees south of the equator. This marks the halfway point of a grueling 12-day tour of the Asia-Pacific.

Pope Francis wears the traditional feathered headdress of the Bird of Paradise. Pope Francis reiterated his promise to embrace people and places on the "periphery."

He described Vanimo as "a majestic natural spectacle teeming with life, all of it evoking the image of Eden".

He was welcomed as the guest of honor by the bare-chested Walsa tribe in body paint, headdresses and ribbons made of feathers, shells and grass, who performed ceremonial dances.

Pope Francis thanked the thousands of people gathered, some of whom had walked or sailed for days to come and see him. Pope Francis also praised the "overwhelming smiles and joy" of local children.

However, he also described this place as a troubled paradise. He urged the faithful and a handful of local missionaries to help "overcome divisions -- personal, family, and tribal" and "drive out fear, superstition, and witchcraft from the hearts of the people."

Pope Francis urged his faithful to tackle such social problems head-on, and rebuild their nation's image.

"Buat Papua Nugini terkenal bukan hanya karena keanekaragaman tumbuhan dan hewannya, pantainya yang mempesona, dan lautnya yang jernih, tetapi juga terkenal terutama karena orang-orang baik yang Anda temui di sini," katanya.

Pesan ini telah mendapat sambutan dari warga Papua Nugini, banyak di antara mereka berharap kunjungan Paus dapat mengubah negara mereka.

Minggu sebelumnya, Paus mengadakan misa untuk 35.000 orang di ibu kota, Port Moresby.

Paus Fransiskus akan mengakhiri kunjungannya ke Papua Nugini pada hari Senin. Ia akan memberikan pidato di stadion kepada kaum muda sebelum terbang ke Timor Timur.

Di sana, ia akan bertemu dengan negara yang berpenduduk Katolik, tetapi negara yang para pendetanya telah dirundung skandal pelecehan anak.

"Papua New Guinea is famous not only for its diversity of plants and animals, its enchanting beaches and clear seas, but it is also famous primarily for the kind people you meet here," he said.

This message has been welcomed by Papua New Guineans, many of whom hope the Pope's visit will change their country.

The previous week, the Pope held mass for 35,000 people in the capital, Port Moresby.

Pope Francis will end his visit to Papua New Guinea on Monday. He will give a stadium speech to young people before flying to East Timor.

There, he will encounter a largely Catholic country, but one whose priests have been embroiled in child abuse scandals.