Among the 20 new Church leaders that Pope Francis made members of the College of Cardinals on Saturday was Bishop Soane Patita Mafi from the Polynesian archipelago of Tonga in the Pacific Ocean.  At just 53 years of age, he becomes the youngest member of the College of Cardinals, as well as the first man in the history of this young Church to receive this honour.

Neongo ko hono fakanofo ‘o Soane Patita Mafi koe Katinali ma’ae Siasi Katolika Loma ka ‘oku hoifua kiai ‘a e Hau e Fonua mo Ha’a Moheofo, laumalie lelei kiai ‘a e Ho’ueiki  mo e Kau Taki ‘o e Pule’anga pea  fiefia ai ‘a Ha’a Matapule,  pehe ki he kakai kotoa ‘o e ‘Otu Tonga. Ko e hisitolia foki ‘eni ki he fonua ‘a e faifaiange kuo hoifua ‘a Langi ka e kae fakafou mai ‘i he Tu’i Tapu ‘a e tapuaki ko’eni ki he Tahi Saute ‘o lave monu ai ‘a e fo’i piliote.

On the tiny, heavily Christian island of Tonga, churches dot the landscape and choirs can be heard singing on any day of the week.