His Eminence Cardinal Soane Patita Paini Mafi returned to Tonga on February 26 and continues his normal duties as Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tonga and Niue, after what he described as a ‘humbling experience’ in Rome.

Cardinal Mafi said he continues as Bishop in Tonga, while awaiting any instructions from the Pope in his new role.

“At this stage there has been no permanent placement to Rome. But I have other duties as cardinal like attending a Synod once a year, which requires me to travel to the Vatican. In the meantime, I am very happy to be home,” he said.

Cardinal Mafi said he was deeply touched with the number of Tongan pilgrims who were at the Vatican to show their support and happiness.

“It was a very humbling and amazing experience, especially coming from a small island like Tonga and being one of only two selected from Oceania to be appointed as cardinals, a position that has normally been selected from Europe as they are closer to the Vatican. It is a calling for Tonga.”

The Cardinal was also deeply touched with the presence of Queen Nanasipau’u at the consistory.

“For Their Majesties to be in Rome at this same time was amazing. On the day as I walked down St Peter’s Square and heard that the Queen would be attending and saw Tongan flags waving, I was deeply moved and overwhelmed with feelings to have the Queen there,” he said.

He will hold his first mass on Sunday, March 1 at Ma'ufanga to be attended by Queen Mother and Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala.

Meanwhile, Government has this week declared March 2 as a one-off public holiday to honour his appointment.

Youngest

At 53, Cardinal Mafi became Tonga’s first and youngest member of the College of Cardinals, whose primary job is to elect the next Pope and advise on church matters.

On January 4, he was among 20 bishops and archbishops named by Pope Francis to be consecrated as cardinals. Fifteen of them were from developing countries and three, including Cardinal Mafi held the title of bishop rather than archbishop.

He was installed Cardinal by the Pope during a consistory on February 14, at the St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, attended by Queen Nanasipau’u who was in Rome accompanying King Tupou VI to a separate event for the International Fund for Agricultural Development.