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The Royal Australian Air Force has ferried the head of the Catholic Church and sovereign of the Vatican City State, His Holiness Pope Francis, on his travels around Papua New Guinea.
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RAAF supported the travel of the Pope to Vanimo where he is visiting local congregations, including the Argentinian missionary group the Institute of the Incarnate Word.
His Holiness was carried aboard C-130 aircraft, overseen by RAAF No. 37 Squadron and members of the official delegation.
“The Christian faith reaches into some of the most remote parts of Papua New Guinea and Australia. And we are honoured and proud to be able to support our PNG friends on this momentous occasion,” the Australian High Commission in Papua New Guinea said.
Members of the High Commission community joined thousands of faithful at the Holy Mass hosted by His Holiness Pope Francis in Port Moresby.
Australia congratulated the government of Papua New Guinea for hosting this apostolic visit by His Holiness Pope Francis, which will bring hope, unity, and peace.
Vatican News, a service provided by the Holy See’s Dicastery for Communication, said Pope Francis travelled from Port Moresby to Vanimo, a town in the north-west of Papua New Guinea.
“He will be travelling in an Australian military aircraft. Before take-off, the Pope took a few moments to greet the crew.”
Pope Francis reportedly encouraged Catholics living in Papua New Guinea to continue to be missionaries where they live, working together to replace superstition and fear with love.
He also reportedly brought medicine, clothing, toys and other necessities to help people living in the remote area, according to the Vatican.
