Pope Leo XIV canonises Papua New Guinea's first Catholic saint Peter ToRot
Peter ToRot has become PNG's first saint. (Supplied: Vatican News)
In short:
Pope Leo XIV has canonised Peter ToRot, a Papua New Guinea man killed in prison in 1945 for standing up for monogamous marriage at a time when polygamy was practised.
He is PNG's first ever saint and was selected by Pope Francis, who approved the canonisation before he died.
Papua New Guineans say they are happy to have the first saint from their country and many travelled to watch the ceremony.
Papua New Guinea has its first saint after Pope Francis approved the canonisation of local preacher Peter ToRot.
Pope Leo XIV canonised the PNG catechist at a mass before an estimated 55,000 people in St Peter's Square.
In all, seven people were canonised in a ceremony that Pope Francis put in motion in some of his final acts as pope.
Born at Rakunai village on the island of East New Britain in 1912, Peter ToRot led a Catholic mission during the Japanese occupation in World War II.
Pope Leo XIV canonised seven new saints at the Mass. (Reuters: Claudia Greco)
He was arrested and held in a Japanese prison in 1945 for practising Catholicism and was given an injection that reportedly killed him.
In April, the Holy See Press Office published a notice saying Pope Francis had approved the canonisation of Peter ToRot, following a vote by cardinal fathers and bishops.
It came not long after the pope was released from hospital after a battle with pneumonia, leading PNG leaders to believe the pope wanted to prioritise the canonisation.
In 1995, Peter ToRot was beatified by Pope John Paul II during a visit to PNG and locals have been calling for him to be recognised as a saint ever since.
He was born to village chief Angelo To Puia and was one of six children.
A second-generation Catholic, he was trained as a catechist by missionaries on the island and later ran the mission when other church leaders were imprisoned by Japanese soldiers during the war.
Peter ToRot had strong views on marriage and opposed polygamy, which was a common traditional practice in his village prior to colonisation.
Catholics in Papua New Guinea have been calling for Peter ToRot to be canonised. (Facebook: Blessed Petro ToRot Foundation Inc)
His views got him into trouble, according to some records, when the Japanese legalised polygamy in an attempt to build relationships with local Papua New Guineans.
Peter ToRot was reportedly labelled an "antagonist" for his position on marriage and was eventually arrested and given a lethal injection.
Giorgio Licini, a senior priest based in Port Moresby, said his sainthood would be a significant moment for the country, which was introduced to Catholicism less than 150 years ago.
A child holds up a statue of Peter ToRot, who was beatified by Pope John Paul II. (AP: Mark Baker)
Papua New Guineans said they were happy to have the first saint from their country and many travelled to watch the ceremony.
Carola Namiau was baptised by Peter ToRot and said she felt his presence in her prayers and her life.
Carola Namiau was baptised by Peter Torot. (ABC News)
"I am thankful to him for and his guidance," she said.
"I know he is here and strengthens me in my life.
"The others have passed on, the ones who were baptised by Peter ToRot, but I am still alive and still active.
"I come here for church and still faithful to my service to the church."
Anis Dubai said the title of "saint" was significant because it was known all around the world.
Anis Dubai says having a saint from PNG makes him "so happy". (ABC News)
"When I think of this it makes me so happy that he has been given this title," he said.
"None of us here can be like him, he is so special."
Judith Funmat said she was following in the footsteps of ToRot.
Judith Funmat says she is happy to be at the canonisation because she is "following the footsteps of Torot". (ABC News)
"Now that he has become a saint, I am so happy to be here," she said.
"I paid for my own way here … in Rabaul.
"I had only heard his story but now I am here in his village, how he was carrying out his work, the challenges he had and how he died."
Odilia Kova says she will "take back the blessing" to her family and archdiocese. (ABC News)
Odilia Kova, too, was excited to witness PNG's first saint.
"I give thanks to God Almighty and I will take back the blessing to my family and my archdiocese."