Pope Francis’s announcement for a possible trip to Polynesia in 2024. Photo: The Vatican
Pope Francis could visit Polynesia next year, but which Polynesia?
French Polynesia's fervent Christian community is abuzz this week following an announcement from Pope Francis that he was considering visiting "Polynesia" sometime in 2024.
In an interview in Spanish language accorded Tuesday to Mexican TV Nmas, relayed by the Vatican's official information site, the 86-year-old Pontiff said his travel plans for 2024 included Belgium, and that he was also considering Argentina (his home country) and "Polynesia".
The announcement immediately made headlines in French Polynesia, where Roman Catholicism is the religion for about 35 percent of the population: speculations are rife on whether Pope Francis meant "French Polynesia".
So much so that Papeete's cathedral Vicar-general, Father Christophe, had to dampen the sudden fervour.
"Polynesia doesn't only mean French Polynesia. Polynesia also means the Cook Islands and many others as well. So this has to be checked. We can't just jump to conclusions", he cautioned on local television Tahiti Nui Television (TNTV).
He however believed the papal visit was quite "unlikely", because "If he was to visit here in 2024, then there wouldn't be much time left to prepare, in terms of organisation and security".
This would leave the door open for the Pope's visit to other Polynesian island states such as, among others, the Cook Islands, Rapa Nui (Easter Island), Tonga or Samoa.
Former President of French Polynesia, Edouard Fritch, a fervent Catholic, had the opportunity to meet the Pope in 2017, with a group of other Pacific islands leaders.
Pope Francis has previously shared his concern about the fate of Pacific populations in the face of adverse effects of climate change.
A three-year-old girl has died on Sunday 10 December in New Caledonia’s village of Thio (Western coast of the main island of Grande Terre) as a result of what is described as a hunting accident Photo: Supplied
Three-year-old girl fatally shot in "hunting accident" in New Caledonia
A three-year-old girl has died on Sunday 10 December in New Caledonia's village of Thio (West coast of the main island of Grande Terre) as a result of what is described as a "hunting accident", local media report.
She received fatal gunshot wounds as she was sitting in the family car with a cousin and her three brothers and sisters.
An emergency medical team rushed to the scene by helicopter failed to resuscitate the victim.
Her 39-year-old father was also in the vehicle on his way to a hunting outing.
He is believed to be the rifle's owner and was arrested as the prime suspect on potential manslaughter charges.
In a police statement, he said he had a "problem with his hunting rifle".
French Polynesia’s pearl emperor Robert Wan celebrates 50 years of success with his family. Photo: Radio 1
French Polynesia's "pearl emperor" celebrates 50 years of success
Robert Wan, the founder of French Polynesia's pearl industry has last week celebrated his company's 50th anniversary.
The reception, held at Papeete's Pearl Museum, included top politicians such as French Polynesia's President Moetai Brotherson and business stakeholders.
In a speech for the occasion, Wan, dubbed the "pearl emperor", paid tribute to his family of Chinese ascent as well as other pearl farmers who also contributed to the birth and later success of French Polynesia's pearl industry which has now gained world recognition.
His main export market, he said, remained mainland China.
89-year-old Wan said he was always driven by success because he grew up "in poverty" and always wanted his company (now headed by his grandson Johnny) to remain a family business.
Meanwhile, other Pacific island countries such as Fiji and the Cook Islands have also successfully developed their own pearl industry.
Faa’a municipal council is holding special celebrations for Oscar Temaru’s 40 years as Lord Mayor. Photo: TNTV
Oscar Temaru celebrates 40 years as Lord Mayor of Faa'a
French Polynesia's pro-independence figure Oscar Temaru, 79, is this week celebrating the 40th anniversary of his first election as Lord Mayor of the municipality of Faa'a (near the capital Papeete), where he was born.
To mark the anniversary, Faa'a's municipality is organising a series of events from 8 to 17 December.
Temaru's was first elected at the helm of French Polynesia's most populated city (about 30,000 inhabitants) in March 1983.
He has since been re-elected to the post uninterrupted at each municipal election.
Four years earlier, in 1977, he had founded a pro-independence "Polynesia Liberation Front" which later changed its name to the current Tavini Huiraatira party.
Temaru remains the President of the Tavini Huiraatira party which won this year's general elections with a large majority in May 2023.
This led to Moetai Brotherson becoming French Polynesia's President.
Brotherson is married to Temaru's daughter.
He also served several times as President of French Polynesia (2004, 2005-2006, 2007-2008, 2009, 2011-2013) and twice as Speaker of the Territorial Assembly, the local parliament (2008-2011).