"You who live on this large island in the Pacific Ocean may sometimes have thought of yourselves as a far away and distant land situated at the edge of the world. Yet today the Lord wants to draw near to you, to break down distances, to let you know that you are at the center of his heart and that each one of you is important to him."
"I think too of the marginalized and wounded, both morally and physically, by prejudice and superstition sometimes to the point of having to risk their lives."
The event began with a traditional performance of dancers in grass skirts and feathered headdresses dancing to drum music, highlighting the cultural significance of the region.
Francis has previously said the church of the 'peripheries' is more important than the center. He has preferred visits to far-away communities, emphasizing the importance of the church's outreach.
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