Pope urges end to decades of Papua New Guinea tribal conflict

Pope Francis hands a gift to a traditional dancer as he arrives at APEC Haus in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (Mark Baker/AP)

Pope Francis has called for an end to tribal conflicts that have wracked Papua New Guinea for decades and appealed for equitable development of its natural resources during a visit that also highlighted the country’s problem of violence against women.

Dancers in swishing grass skirts performed for the Pope on Saturday as he opened his first full day in the South Pacific country with a mix of political and church business.