DILI, 11 april 2024 (TATOLI) – The President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta, met with the Papal Nuncio to Timor-Leste, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, at the Nicolau Lobato Presidential Palace, to update information on the nation’s preparations for the upcoming visit by Pope Francis.
“We are inviting all journalists and all the media to the Ecclesiastical Chamber in Lecidere at 7pm, tomorrow, to make official communications on this matter,” said Sprizzi said after meeting the Head of State at the Palace of the President, in Dili, today.
He said that Timor-Leste government has already made “an extraordinary and good effort” in the preparations for the Holy Father’s visit to ensure that the people of Timor-Leste, even in the most remote areas, can have the opportunity to see the Pope.
The President said that these preparations involve “creating good conditions and providing assistance” for the people to receive the Holy Father in a “healthy, safe and logistically appropriate” manner.
Sprizzi is expected to join the Head of State in providing more detailed information about the papal visit during a press conference to be held in Dili tomorrow evening.
On february, Prime Minister, Xanana Gusmão, appointed the team responsible for the preparations for Pope Francis’ visit to Timor-Leste. The Minister for the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Ágio Pereira, was appointed as General Coordinator, while the Minister for State Administration, Tomás Cabral, was appointed as Vice-Coordinator.
Sprizzi believed that Pope Francis’ visit to the country, which is scheduled for august this year, is a pastoral mission.
Journalist: Jose Belarmino Sa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
