Papua New Guinea is celebrating a historic moment as the late local preacher Peter ToRot, born in 1912 and died in 1925, has been officially declared a saint by the Catholic Church.
According to ABC News, Pope Francis approved the canonisation earlier this year, and the ceremony took place in front of about 55,000 people at St Peter’s Square in the Vatican.
Canonisation is the official process by which the Catholic Church declares a deceased person to be a saint.
It was led by Pope Leo XIV, following the pope emeritus’s approval in one of his final acts before stepping down.
Peter ToRot becomes the first saint from Papua New Guinea, a country introduced to Catholicism less than 150 years ago.
The announcement has been met with joy and pride across PNG, with many travelling to witness the ceremony.
Born in 1912 in Rakunai village, East New Britain, ToRot was a dedicated Catholic catechist.
During World War II, he led a mission on his island while it was under Japanese occupation.
He was arrested in 1945 for continuing to practise and promote the Catholic faith, which was banned at the time.
He later died in prison after being given a fatal injection.
Peter ToRot was beatified in 1995 by Pope John Paul II during his visit to PNG, and calls for his canonisation have continued ever since.
ToRot was also known for his strong stance on marriage and his opposition to polygamy—a practice still common in some areas at the time.
His views reportedly clashed with Japanese forces, who had legalised polygamy during the occupation, and was considered a threat for continuing to uphold Christian teachings.
Church leaders in PNG say his sainthood is a powerful symbol for the country and for Catholics across the Pacific.
Source: ABC News
