Some 70 children from the Queen of Paradise (QOP) Project are scheduled to perform for Pope Francis during his upcoming visit to Papua New Guinea in September.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA — Fr. Miguel de la Calle of the QOP Orchestra said the children will play musical instruments and sing for the pontiff on Sept. 8 in Vanimo.
“The children of the QOP Orchestra are very excited as Pope Francis is going to listen to them in person,” the priest said in a report by The National, a local newspaper.
The priest said the children would be waiting for Pope Francis at the end of his 13-kilometer golf cart ride in Vanimo to bless the people.
Maestro Jesus Briceño, who will conduct the group, described the 5-minute concert as “pure gold,” adding that they are preparing “two pieces of music” for the Pope.
Cardinal John Ribat, Archbishop of Port Moresby, described Pope Francis’ visit to Papua New Guinea as a “blessing.” He noted that the Pope comes not only as the leader of the Catholic Church but also as a head of state.
“I’d like to stress that the Pope comes as a person not in good health, he will be on a wheelchair. He will turn 88 this year,” the prelate said. “At his age and with all the issues surrounding his health, he still decided to come.”
The prelate reminded the faithful that the Pope is just “a person like you and me.” However, Cardinal Ribat emphasized that “if Jesus Christ chose him to take on this important task in the world, we need to able to prepare well for his coming and welcome him.”
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