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One of you asked me: “Why am I not like other people?” Pope Francis repeated this question, which had been asked in sign language, as he met with kids at the Caritas Technical Secondary School in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, this September 7, 2024.
Some of the children he was addressing (a group of around 800 kids) are at risk of homelessness. Others have disabilities.
These 7- to 14-year-olds are in the care of Street Ministry and Callan Services, which is run by the Sisters of the Society of the Heart of Jesus.
The organization is the largest provider of services for children and adults with disabilities in Papua New Guinea. It serves as a leading advocate for disability rights and representation, focusing on inclusive education and training for all people with disabilities in the country.
The Pope said he had only "one answer to this question."
And it is: “None of us is like anyone else, because we are all unique in God’s eyes!”
It is not only that “there is hope for everyone” – as has been said – but I would add that each one of us has a role and mission in the world that no one else can fulfill. Even if it involves difficulties, carrying out our role and mission will also give us a great deal of joy in ways that are different for each person. Peace and joy are for everyone.
The Holy Father continued by affirming that "we all have limitations."
"There are some things we are good at doing. There are things we struggle with or can never do. This, however, should not determine our happiness, which comes instead from the love we put into whatever we do, give, and receive," he said.
The most beautiful and important thing in our lives is always to love, and to welcome with open arms the love we receive from the people who love us. This is so for each person no matter how or where they find themselves. Did you know that this is also true for the Pope? Our joy does not depend on anything else; our joy depends on love!
The Holy Father is in Papua New Guinea until Monday afternoon, at which point he departs for Timor-Leste, the third nation in his long visit to the region.
Making the world more beautiful
The Holy Father said that the same "recipe" -- of learning day by day to love God and others with all our hearts! -- will make the world more "beautiful and happy."
The Pope said the children with their "light of love" are a sign of hope not only for each other but "for our world, which is sometimes so selfish and preoccupied with things that do not matter."
He had this advice for keeping this light burning:
Have you ever seen how a cat prepares itself when it has to make a big jump? First, it concentrates on directing all its strength and muscles in the right direction. Maybe this happens quickly and we do not even notice, but the cat does it. We can do the same by focusing all our strength on our goal, which is love of Jesus and, in him, for all the brothers and sisters we meet on the way. And then with new energy we can help everything and everyone to be filled with love!
In this sense, none of us is “burdensome.” We are all beautiful gifts from God, a treasure for one another, as you all have reminded us!
