Papua New Guinea has more than 3 million Catholics.
The Archbishop of Port Moresby is the first Papua New Guinean to be evaluated to become a cardinal, and the appointment is done by the Pope.
Immediately below the Pope in the hierarchy of the Catholic Church are the cardinals.
The primary responsibility of a cardinal is to elect a new pope when a pope dies or abdicates the papacy.
Also cardinals have many responsibilities.
Prime Minister O’Neill said the elevation of Archbishop Ribat to Cardinal on Nov 19 will be a time of national pride.