DILI, 17 February 2025 (TATOLI) – Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, paid a farewell visit to the President of the Republic, Jose Ramos Horta at the Presidential Palace, marking the conclusion of his tenure in Timor-Leste.
During the meeting, Sprizzi expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the close cooperation he had with President Horta: “It’s a farewell meeting to remember all the good things we achieved together, especially the visit of Pope Francis to the country.”
Sprizzi will leave Timor-Leste next month for the Vatican to take up his new post as President of the Labor Office of the Holy See.
“I will always carry Timor-Leste in my heart. I will never forget the love, and smiles of all the Timorese I have met over the years—not only in Dili, but also in the many remote areas, chapels, villages, and hamlets in the country,” said Sprizzi.
During his six-year mission in the country, the Papal Nuncio made a significant contribution to the country’s development, including the opening of the Holy See Embassy in Dili, the establishment of the Timorese Catholic University (UCT-Portuguese), and the Ecclesiastical Court.
Meanwhile, President Horta expressed his appreciation to Monsignor Sprizzi for his dedicated efforts in strengthening the bilateral relations between Timor-Leste and the Holy See.
Horta commended the Apostolic Nuncio’s significant contributions to Timor-Leste’s success in organizing the historic visit of Pope Francis to the country between September 9 and 11, 2024.
Monsignor Sprizzi began his diplomatic mission in the Timor-Leste on 18 February 2019.
Journalist: Camilio de Sousa
Editor: Filomeno Martins
