Pope Francis’ Pacific Journey: A Moment of Hope — But What About West Papua?

Pope Francis with PNG's Cardinal John Ribat

After a three-year wait forced by the Covid-19 pandemic, Pope Francis is finally set to travel to Papua New Guinea (PNG) this coming August — and possibly Indonesia too.

This promises to be a historic journey: visits by a Pope to the Pacific and Oceania are incredibly rare. But with such a tight schedule, many wonder: will West Papua, under Indonesian occupation for six decades, be on the Pope’s itinerary at all?

Will Pope Francis Visit Indonesia?

Since the landmark 2019 signing of the Declaration on Human Brotherhood in Abu Dhabi, the Vatican has been visibly reaching out to the Islamic world. Indonesia, home to the largest Muslim population on earth, naturally figures prominently in these diplomatic efforts.

In 2022, Indonesia’s Minister of Religious Affairs, Yaqut Cholil Qoumas, personally invited Pope Francis at the Vatican to come witness Indonesia’s “religious harmony.” Yet, beneath this polished image lies a far more complicated reality.

Minority groups, especially Christians, face severe persecution. Since independence in 1945, over 2,400 churches have been destroyed — often by radical Islamist groups (NGO Foker). Building new churches remains difficult, blasphemy laws are weaponized against minorities, and interfaith marriages often face harsh legal obstacles.

Still, despite these challenges, it seems almost certain that Pope Francis will visit Indonesia.

Will Pope Francis Visit West Papua?

This remains a mystery only the Pope himself can solve. But his past actions offer clues about how much the Vatican truly cares about the humanitarian crisis in West Papua.

Back in 2020, when Pope Francis was scheduled to visit Indonesia, many Christians in West Papua were hopeful he would extend his journey to their land — a region scarred by 60 years of Indonesian military occupation and ongoing human rights abuses. That hope still flickers today.

Yet, personally, I’m skeptical. Throughout his pontificate, Pope Francis has never publicly addressed the tragedy of West Papua in his homilies, Angelus prayers, or official audiences. His current nuncio in Jakarta, Msgr Pietro Pioppo, has only visited West Papua for ceremonial events, avoiding its deeper struggles.

Why this silence? The Vatican finds itself caught between two powerful forces: capitalism, represented by multinational corporations exploiting West Papua’s rich resources, and Islam, with Indonesia as the world’s largest Muslim country holding political sway over the region. Confronting either risks upsetting delicate balances.

What Could Pope Francis’ Visit Mean for West Papua?

So, if West Papua is left off the official agenda, does that mean the visit will have no impact for its people? Not necessarily.

The real power lies in how West Papuans, solidarity groups — especially in PNG — and the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) leverage this international spotlight.

The global media attention surrounding the Pope’s journey through the Pacific and Oceania is a rare chance to bring West Papua’s ongoing suffering into the world’s view. It’s an opportunity to reveal truths long ignored — if those who care seize the moment.