John Ribat was born on 9 February 1957 in Volavolo, in the archdiocese of Rabaul, Papua New Guinea. He entered the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart, making his first profession on 2 February 1979, studied philosophy and theology at Holy Spirit Seminary, Bomana, and was ordained a priest on 1 December 1985. He served in parishes in the diocese of Bereina, trained at the SAIDI Centre in Manila, and was master of novices from 1992 to 1996 and again in Suva, Fiji, from 1998 to 2000.
On 30 October 2000 he was appointed titular bishop of Macriana Minor and auxiliary bishop of Bereina, receiving episcopal ordination on 11 February 2001. He became bishop of Bereina on 12 February 2002. On 16 April 2007 Pope Benedict XVI appointed him coadjutor archbishop of Port Moresby, and he succeeded as metropolitan archbishop on 26 March 2008. He was president of the Episcopal Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands from 2011 to 2014 and has chaired the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania since 2014.
Pope Francis created him a cardinal in the consistory of 19 November 2016, assigning him the titular church of San Giovanni Battista de' Rossi; he is Papua New Guinea's first cardinal. He participated as a cardinal elector in the 2025 conclave that elected Pope Leo XIV.
Consequential Quotes
It is really the biggest issue for us. We cannot keep quiet about it. We have to come out with it.
It's really looking at the small Church, the small area, and bringing it to the center.
One thing Pope Francis speaks about is the concern for the environment and for those who are suffering. His words are encouraging and are a challenge to me to move forward.
Pope Francis sees the whole Church. For Pope Francis, it is important that he brings everyone together.
Personal holiness is very important for the next pope.
He must be someone open and controlling — not in a bad way, but in a way that keeps us all together, journeying together in unity.
Major Works & Initiatives
President of the Episcopal Conference of Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands
President of the bishops' conference, 2011 to 2014 per the Holy See biography.
Chairman of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania
Chairman of the Federation of Catholic Bishops Conferences of Oceania (FCBCO) since 2014 per the Holy See biography.
First cardinal of Papua New Guinea
Created cardinal in the consistory of 19 November 2016 with the titular church of San Giovanni Battista de' Rossi — the first cardinal in Papua New Guinea's history.
President Delegate of the Synod on Young People
Appointed 14 July 2018 as president delegate of the XV Ordinary General Assembly on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment (October 2018).
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.