Catholics in both Samoas have been galvanised by claims of religious visions.
A special mass was held at a church in American Samoa to welcome a thirteen-year-old Samoan boy who claimed he has seen several apparitions of Mary.
The child was greeted by a large crowd at Pago Pago airport at the weekend and has since converted to Catholicism and been baptised.
The boy alerted the head priest at Mulivai Parish two weeks ago that he received a message to come to American Samoa and encourage local Catholics to pray for world peace and unity.
