Archbishop Peter Loy Chong, on behalf of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suva, has conveyed his deepest condolence to friends and families of Pope Francis and the Roman Catholic Church.
Pope Francis died at the age of 88 last night of a stroke and subsequent irreversible heart failure.
He says Pope Francis gave a clear message of hope to young people of Oceania and the Pacific during his visit to Papua New Guinea last year and said that youths all make mistakes but more importantly they must get up and help others get up.
The Archbishop says he was attracted and touched by Pope Francis’ ministry when they accompanied him during his visit to Papua New Guinea from the 6th to the 9th of September, last year.
He says Pope Francis gifted people with his very presence as he moved up or down the aisle in the stadium or church he would shake hands, kiss and embrace people as he would take a few minutes to greet a mass of people and being present to the Holy Spirit.
Chong says the Pope’s closeness and presence to people who are vulnerable exemplifies a form of power that draws and touches the hearts of people.
He says that vulnerability is form of power that invites and moves peoples’ hearts.
The Archbishop further says the Roman Catholic Church stands in union during this very difficult time for the church and they thank the Pope for his great work of love and service to the millions of Catholic's around the word and in Fiji.
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