DILI, 09 september 2024 (TATOLI) Tens of thousands of Timorese Catholics gathered in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, to welcome His Holiness Pope Francis to the second most Catholic country in Asia, with more than 97% of its 1.3 million inhabitants being Catholic.
Pope Francis arrived at Nicolau Lobato International Airport at around 2.20pm and was received by the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, the Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, and the Papal Nuncio to Timor-Leste, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi.
Timor-Leste is the country on the second leg of His Holiness’ trip to ASEAN and Oceania, making him the second Pope to visit the country, almost thirty years after St. John Paul II’s visit in 1989.
At the airport, the local children presented the 87-year-old Pope with traditional clothes as he was welcomed by Timorese leaders.
The crowd of Catholics applauded and cheered the Pope enthusiastically, while the main road towards the Apostolic Nunciature was packed with thousands of people.
After the welcoming ceremony at the airport, His Holiness went to the Vatican Embassy in Dili for a short rest and headed to the Presidential Palace for his first meeting with President Horta.
After a courtesy meeting with the Head of State, the Holy Father also met with members of the government, representatives of civil society, and the diplomatic corps.
Many hoped that the Holy Mass in Timor-Leste, which will take place on September 8, in the western part of the capital Dili called Tasi Tolu, would trigger hundreds of thousands of Catholic beliefs, including from neighboring regions of Indonesia’s provinces, West Timor.
Tens of thousands of Timorese Catholics traveled from the farthest municipalities to attend the Mass and receive His Holiness’ message of love.
Timor-Leste is the third leg of Pope Francis’ trip to ASEAN and the Pacific, his longest since becoming Pope.
Journalist: Camilo de Sousa
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
