Archbishop Clement Papa and Bishop Ronald Vunuvung participate in Formation Course for new bishops in Rome.

From September 3–11, 2025, the Vatican was host to a formation course for newly appointed bishops, organized by the Dicastery for Evangelization. The event welcomed 78 bishops from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and Latin America, including His Excellency Archbishop Clement Papa of Mt. Hagen Archdiocese and His Excellency Bishop Ronald Vunuvung of Kavieng Diocese.

Left to Right: Archbishop of Apia, Samoa, His Excellency Mosese Vitolio Tui, S.D.B., Bishop of Chalan Kanoa, Northern Mariana Islands, His Excellency Romeo Duetao Convocar, His Excellency Archbishop Clement Papa, Mt. Hagen Archdiocese, PNG and Bishop of Rarotonga, Cook Islands, His Excellency Raynaldo B. Getalado.

Held under the theme “Opening a Path to Hope: Called to the Episcopacy in a Jubilee Context,” the course aimed to equip bishops ordained within the past year with spiritual, pastoral, and theological tools essential for their mission. The Jubilee theme infused the sessions with a spirit of renewal, reconciliation, and grace, encouraging participants to embrace their roles not merely as administrators, but as shepherds guiding their communities toward healing and transformation.

The bishops resided and attended sessions at the Pontifical Saint Peter College, with additional sessions held at the Pontifical Urbaniana University. These gatherings emphasized the shared mission of evangelization, pastoral care, and communion across continents, highlighting the Church’s commitment to nurturing leadership in regions often facing profound social and spiritual challenges.

Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, inaugurated the course with a heartfelt welcome and a comprehensive overview of the Dicastery’s mission. He underscored its role in supporting bishops in missionary territories and fostering unity among local Churches in diverse cultural contexts.

Beyond formal instruction, the course fostered deep connections among bishops from vastly different backgrounds. Shared liturgies, meals, and open dialogues created a vibrant space for mutual learning and solidarity. These interactions reflected the Church’s global heartbeat—one that pulses with hope, unity, and the promise of renewal.

The week culminated in an audience with Pope Leo XIV, who encouraged the bishops to carry out their ministry with, humility, emphasizing that “the bishop is a servant – the bishop is called to serve the faith of the people.” His message reinforced the spiritual depth and communal strength that marked the entire formation experience.

This gathering not only prepared bishops for their pastoral responsibilities but also symbolized the Church’s enduring mission: to be a beacon of hope and unity in a world yearning for healing and transformation.