Port Moresby: If there was one important message that Mundiya Kepanga got from Pope Francis, it is to treasure his culture and never lose it.
“Em i tokim mi ‘no ken lusim bilas bilong yu, kalsa em i bikpela samting’ (he told me, do not lose your culture, it is very important),” Mr. Kepanga recalled.
“Em i tokim mi tu long planim diwai na lukautim ples (he also told me to look after the land and the environment),” he said.
Mr. Kepanga is a proud Tari Chief who had the opportunity of meeting Pope Francis at the Vatican. He visited the Pope in May this year where they discussed various issues affecting communities in Papua New Guinea. Among them were youths and women. They also talked about the Holy Father’s trip to the country.
“Mi kisim bikpela blesing tru long bungim Papa Pop na mi kam bek wantaim bikpela amamas na bel isi (It was a great blessing to me to meet the Pope and I am filled with joy and peace),” said Mr. Kepanga.
“Mi amamas long harim olsem em bai kam long PNG na mi lukfowet long bungim em gen na amamas wantaim olgeta pipel bilong yumi (I am excited about his trip to PNG and I look forward to celebrating it with everyone).
“Dispela raun bilong em i kam long hia em i bikpela blesing long kantri na tu long mi yet, na yumi olgeta I mas amamas na wok wantaim (this Papal Visit is a blessing to the country and also for me to be part of this event, we must all be excited and joyful),” he said.
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