Port Moresby, Sep 7 (EFE).- Pope Francis on Saturday called for a fairer distribution of income from Papua New Guinea’s natural wealth, urging that local populations benefit more from resource exploitation and that efforts be made to curb violence and address gender inequality.
In his first address in the Pacific nation, the Pope emphasized that while foreign companies are involved in resource extraction, “it is only fair that local populations benefit from the income and labor to improve their living conditions.”
He was speaking to government officials after meeting with Governor General Bob Dadae in Port Moresby.
Pope Francis arrived on Friday evening from Indonesia in Papua New Guinea, a country rich in natural resources, including gold, copper, nickel, oil, and gas.
However, according to OXFAM, it has the highest levels of inequality in Asia and the Pacific and ranks 156th out of 187 countries on the United Nations Human Development Index (HDI), the lowest outside of sub-Saharan Africa.
Papua New Guinea is home to the third greatest biodiversity in the world but suffers from significant deforestation due to agriculture and logging.
The Pope called for responsible governance and citizen participation to ensure sustainable and equitable development.
He also addressed the pressing issue of tribal violence, which he said “causes many victims, prevents peace, and hinders development.” He urged for cooperation and an end to violence for the benefit of all.
Pope Francis also touched upon the unresolved status of Bougainville Island, urging a peaceful resolution to prevent renewed tensions, after a peace agreement was signed in 2021, pausing a long and bloody conflict that left 20,000 people dead.
He encouraged leaders to prioritize collective well-being over personal interests and to improve infrastructure, healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.
In a speech on women’s roles, the Pope asserted that “women have the power to give life, to build, to make a country grow,” and urged recognition of their crucial part in societal development.
This follows Governor General Dadae’s call for protecting and respecting women, who face high rates of violence and mistreatment in Papua New Guinea.
The Pope also condemned the executions linked to witchcraft accusations, which have led to the deaths of about 3,000 people, mostly women, over the past 20 years.
Papua New Guinea is a nation grappling with one of the highest rates of violence against women and children globally.
A study revealed that one in three men admitted to mistreating their wives, and two in three women reported being assaulted by their partners.
Additionally, a 2006 study found that 60 percent of men admitted to participating in gang rapes. EFE
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