Cardinal Ribat departs PNG for Pope Francis’ funeral

Cardinal Sir John Ribat departs the country today to join 135 other eligible cardinals from across the globe to converge in Rome, joining in the funeral of the late Pontiff on Saturday, before voting for his successor.

The voting population of cardinals are those under 80.

Sir John Cardinal Ribat and Cardinal Soane Mafi from Tonga are the only two from the Pacific joining the others, eligible to vote.

Cardinal Sir John earlier this week told NBC News, he will be representing the nation, and the catholic church of Papua New Guinea.

Following the Holy Father's funeral on Saturday at St. Peter's Square, he will be laid to rest in the Papal Basilica of St Mary Major.

Pope Francis' funeral will be preceded by nine days of mourning as per church tradition, and marked with masses in intercession of the late pontiff.

Eligible cardinals will then participate in the conclave, or a secret meeting behind closed doors in the Sistine Chapel to elect the new pope, with two daily balloting sessions held until one candidate is voted on a two thirds majority.

Meantime, a memorial mass was held for the late pontiff, Pope Francis yesterday - Wednesday, in Port Moresby's St Mary's Cathedral in Downtown.

An image of Pope Francis took the centre of the altar.

The mass celebrated by Sir John Cardinal Ribat saw the church filled with faithfuls'  attired in red, white and black.

Cardinal Sir John in his homily reminded faithfuls' of the love Pope Francis had for Papua New Guineans, leading to his visit last September despite the length of travel  and negative image of the country.

He added the late Pontiff's message was that "only Christ love can lead us, to overcome all difficult situations faced, in order to be free to do good and do better."

His visit brought blessing, peace, love and unity.  Cardinal Ribat, says the death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ and his rising from the dead.

Similar masses are being held across the world, in remembrance of the Holy Father and his life