President of CBC PNGSI Meets with Holy Father, Entrusts Nation to Papal Prayers Ahead of 51st Independence Anniversary

Bishop Rozario Menezes SMM greets Pope Leo XIV in Rome and the Pope assures him of his prayers for the people of Papua New Guinea.

VATICAN CITY – Most Rev. Rozario Menezes, SMM, Bishop of Lae and President of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands (CBC PNGSI), was received in a private audience by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, 9 September 2026.

The audience took place during the Focolare meeting, held from 8 to 11 September at Casa Divin Maestro in Ariccia, near Rome. The gathering brought together 83 cardinals and bishops from 40 countries for reflection on fraternity, synodality and collegiality in the episcopal ministry.

During the meeting, Bishop Menezes conveyed greetings from the Catholic faithful of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands. He also entrusted Papua New Guinea to the prayers of the Holy Father as the nation prepares to celebrate its 51st Independence Anniversary on 16 September.

Pope Leo XIV receives a traditional handwoven bilum and Eastern Highlands coffee from Most Rev. Rozario Menezes during a private audience on September 9, 2026, ahead of Papua New Guinea's 51st Independence Day.

As a sign of communion and cultural exchange, Bishop Menezes presented Pope Leo XIV with a bilum, the traditional handwoven bag of Papua New Guinea, together with coffee from Goroka in the Eastern Highlands Province.

Addressing the bishops, the Holy Father encouraged them to be “witnesses to each other and to those you serve of that unity which builds lasting peace.” He further urged them to live “that fraternity which recalls and confirms our kinship in Christ,” particularly in a world marked by division and conflict.

Bishop Menezes participated in the Focolare meeting, which was centred on fraternity, synodality and collegiality among bishops, in keeping with the movement’s charism of unity.