Latest Oceania News

Pope urges church in Papua New Guinea to be close to women after hearing of sorcery 'superstitions'

Sep. 07, 2024 11:56 AM EDT

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AP) — Pope Francis called Saturday for the Catholic Church in Papua New Guinea to be particularly close to women who have been abused and marginalized, speaking out in a country where violence against women is reported to be more than twice the global average. ...

Pope arrives in Papua New Guinea for the second leg of his Southeast Asia and Oceania trip

Sep. 06, 2024 09:36 AM EDT

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (AP) — Pope Francis arrived in Papua New Guinea on Friday for the second leg of his four-nation trip through Southeast Asia and Oceania, becoming the second pope to visit the poor, strategically important South Pacific nation. A cannon salute and...

Pope and imam of Southeast Asia's largest mosque make joint call to fight violence, protect planet

Sep. 05, 2024 07:34 AM EDT

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Pope Francis and the grand imam of Southeast Asia’s largest mosque vowed Thursday to fight religiously inspired violence and protect the environment, issuing a joint call for interfaith friendship and common cause at the heart of Francis’ visit to Indonesia. ...