Pope Francis, while in the resource-rich country of Papua New Guinea, advocates for equitable treatment of laborers

Pope Francis urged for improved treatment of laborers in Papua New Guinea, a nation of approximately 600 islands in the Southwestern Pacific that has become a significant target of international companies due to its gas, gold, and other reserves, on Saturday.

The 87-year-old Catholic pontiff also made a sincere appeal for an end to a spate of ethnic violence that has claimed the lives of dozens in recent months during a lecture to political authorities in the country, which is home to hundreds of tribal groups and more than 800 spoken languages.

The pontiff, who was in PNG as part of a 12-day journey to four countries, stated that the natural resources of the country were “predestined by God” for the entire community.

“Even if outside experts and large international companies must be involved in the harnessing of these resources, it is only right that the needs of local people are given due consideration when distributing the proceeds and employing workers, in order to improve their living conditions,” said the president.

According to the pontiff, the development of natural resources should be sustainable and aimed at enhancing the well-being of all, without excluding anyone, through international cooperation, mutual respect, and agreements that benefit all parties.

Upon his arrival at the APEC Haus, a conference center constructed for the 2018 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, Francis was welcomed by a group of Papua New Guineans who were dressed in traditional attire, including embellished skirts and feathered headdresses..

A curved timber screen, reminiscent of a typical lakatoi tattoo design, was used to guide the pope, who is wheelchair-bound due to knee and back discomfort, through an entry foyer.

Governor-General Bob Dadae of PNG expressed his gratitude to the pontiff for his humanitarian advocacy and referred to the Catholic Church as one of the nation’s “key development partners” in his speech welcoming Francis.

Some of the greatest known gold deposits are located in PNG, which is also a significant exporter of oil and natural gas. Since 2019, Prime Minister James Marape has been leading the government in an effort to increase the local benefits of projects that are being undertaken by international conglomerates, including Newcrest Mining and Exxon Mobil Corp (XOM.N).

Last year, the country’s growth was a modest 2.7%, according to an economic update released in May. World Bank officials have declared that they are experiencing a “human capital crisis,” as nearly half of children exhibit stunted growth.

Papua New Guinea has a lengthy history of ethnic warfare and is home to hundreds of tribes. In July, the United Nations estimates that at least 26 individuals were murdered in violent attacks in three remote villages.

On Saturday, Francis expressed his “special desire for the cessation of tribal violence.” He expressed his desire to appeal “to everyone’s sense of responsibility to stop the spiral of violence and instead resolutely embark on the path that leads to fruitful cooperation” .

He urged for a “definitive solution” to the status of Bougainville Island, the largest island in the Solomon Islands archipelago. Currently, the island is an autonomous region of PNG; however, it overwhelmingly voted for independence in 2019. However, the act of ratifying the decision has been impeded by years of political gridlock in the parliament of PNG.

The population of PNG, a vast country characterized by mountains, forest, and rivers, is estimated to range from 9 million to 17 million. The Vatican predicts that the number of Catholics in the nation is approximately 2.5 million.

Following a journey to Indonesia, Francis arrived in PNG on Friday evening and will remain until Monday. He will then return to Rome on September 13 after visiting Singapore and East Timor. His longest overseas excursion to date.

Despite the severe topics that Francis addressed in his speech on Saturday, the pontiff also displayed a touch of his signature humor. Noting the multitude of languages that are spoken throughout PNG, he expressed his admiration for the diversity of expression.

“I imagine that this enormous variety is a challenge to the Holy Spirit, who creates harmony amid differences!” according to the pontiff.