ARCHBISHOP of Port Moresby Sir John Cardinal Ribat has described the sainthood of Peter ToRot as a national celebration that will draw the attention of the world to Papua New Guinea.

“Blessed Peter ToRot, a lay catechist who died for his faith, will be declared a saint of the universal Church,” he said.

“Canonisation is a spiritual milestone for PNG, the Pacific, and the world.

“It reveals the maturity of our Christian faith and affirms the universality of the Catholic church.

“His life reminds us that holiness is not reserved for the extraordinary, it can be lived each day in our families, workplaces and communities.”

Pope Leo XIV during the Holy Mass and Cannonisation of seven saints at the Vatican City yesterday.      
Archbishop of Port Moresby Sir John Cardinal Ribat takes part at the Holy Mass and Cannonisation of Peter ToRot at the Vatican City yesterday.

Prime Minister James Marape described the canonisation as “a historic moment of pride, faith and inspiration for Papua New Guinea and our people”.

“(ToRot) reminds us that faithfulness is the duty of every Christian, that holiness is not reserved for a few, but is within reach of every man and woman who lives with courage, compassion and conviction.”

Marape said that ToRot’s martyrdom during World War II continued to resonate deeply with the moral fabric of the nation.

“His refusal to compromise his faith, his defence of marriage and family, and his courage to serve others despite persecution represent the very best of who we are as Papua New Guineans – a people of faith, family and freedom.”

An image of Peter ToRot hanging in the background with six other saints during yesterday’s Holy Mass and Cannonisation at St Peter Square.

Late Pope St John Paul II declared Peter ToRot Blessed, in 1995, as the first martyr of PNG.

Pope Leo XIV, when celebrating Mass with the Canonisation of ToRot and seven other saints yesterday at St Peter Square in Vatican City, said: “Without faith in God we cannot hope for salvation.

“Just as we never grow weary of breathing, so let us never grow weary of praying, just as breathing sustains the life of the body, so prayer sustains the life of the soul.

“Faith in fact is expressed in prayer.

“And authentic prayers lives on faith.”

Pope Francis approved his canonisation on March 31, 2025, and his final blessing was received yesterday by Pope Leo XIV at the St Peter’s Square in Rome.

Catholic Bishops Conference PNG and SI general-secretary Fr Lawrence Arockiaraj, said that apart from a delegation of 17 bishops from PNG, and Fr Lawrence Arockiaraj and Fr Tomas Ravaioli, and with pilgrims from PNG, other countries witnessed the event.