DILI, 09 september 2024 (TATOLI) – After concluding his Holy Mass with more than 200,000 Catholics who filled and decorated the Mass Arena in Tasi Tolu, Dili, with the Vatican’s flag colour white and yellow, Pope Francis warned Timorese Catholics to beware of external influences that can destroy their faith as Catholic followers.
“Be careful, because I’ve been told that crocodiles are coming to some beaches. Crocodiles that come swimming and have a stronger bite than we can handle,” said Pope Francis at the end of his third Mass of his trip to ASEAN and Oceania.
The Holy Father urged the Timorese Catholic faith to remain vigilant against the crocodiles (external influencers) who pose a huge threat to Catholic culture in Timor-Leste.
“Be attentive… be attentive to those crocodiles that want to change your culture, your history. And must stay away from those crocodiles because they bite, and they bite a lot,” Pope Francis warned.
He said that he has been thinking a lot about what is the best thing about Timor: “the sandalwood, the teak—no, it is not the best thing. The best thing is its people.”
The Pope praised the reactions of the Timorese Catholics, who gave him an exceptionally warm welcome during his three-day visit to the country.
“I can’t forget that village on the side of the road, with the children—how many children this village has! The best thing about this town is the smiles of the children,” Pope said.
In this metaphorical statement, the Pope referred to the town as Timor-Leste and the simile of the children as the reaction of Timorese Catholics to him.
He went on to say that “A town that teaches its children to smile is a town with a future.”
Before leaving the altar, Pope Francis delivered his final message of peace and hope, with the crowd applauding and shouting “Viva Santu Padre Papa Francisco” (Long Live Holy Father Pope Francis): “I wish you peace. I wish you that you continue to have many children.”
“Take care of your children, but also take care of your elders, who are the memory of this land. Thank you very much for your charity. For your faith. Go forward with hope,” said the Holy Father.
Pope Francis will end his visit to Timor with a meeting with young Timorese at the Dili Convention Center (CCD) on wednesday.
The Holy Father’s next stop will be Singapore, the last country to end his longest journey since becoming Pope in 2013.
Journalist: Filomeno Martins
Editor: Rafael Ximenes de A. Belo
