DILI: Pope Francis on Monday arrived in the Southeast Asian nation of East Timor for a three-day visit, as part of his longest overseas journey yet, a 12-day tour across the Asia-Pacific region, including an open-air Mass on Tuesday expected to attract about half of the Catholic-majority small island’s population.
Pope Francis’s arrival was marked by a vibrant reception in Dili, the capital, where tens of thousands of devotees lined the streets, waving flags and cheering as the pope traveled in an open-top car. The atmosphere was electric, with scenes reminiscent of a rock star welcome.
The city had undergone a $12 million makeover in preparation for the visit, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao participated in community efforts to beautify the streets.
The highlight of Pope Francis’s visit will be the open-air Mass scheduled to take place at the historic Tasitolu coastal area. Organizers anticipate between 700,000 and 750,000 attendees for the Mass, a significant turnout given the nation’s population of approximately 1.3 million.
On arrival, Pope Francis addressed a pressing issue in East Timor — the abuse of young people. In a speech delivered the night before the Mass, he called for urgent action to address the problem of child sexual abuse, which has recently come to light in the country.
The pontiff acknowledged the global nature of the problem and stressed the need for all sectors of society to work towards preventing abuse and ensuring a safe and peaceful environment for children.
“Let us not forget the many children and adolescents whose dignity has been violated,” Pope Francis said in Dili. He did not specify particular cases but emphasized the importance of safeguarding the rights and well-being of young people.
“We are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people,” the pope added.
East Timor has been rocked by several high-profile cases of clerical abuse in recent years. Notably, Nobel laureate Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo has faced allegations of sexually abusing children, and the Vatican revealed in 2022 that Belo had been subject to restrictions following these claims. Another prominent case involves defrocked American priest Richard Daschbach, convicted in 2021 of abusing orphaned girls.
Despite these controversies, Pope Francis’s visit has been met with widespread enthusiasm. Many of the 98 percent of the nation’s Catholic population has traveled from distant regions to attend the Mass.
For some, the visit is a beacon of hope and a symbol of peace. Magdalena Tagnipis, a 49-year-old Filipina who traveled from Australia, expressed her feelings of awe and hope upon seeing the pope. “When I saw his face, I got goosebumps. I firmly believe that his presence brings peace and hope,” she said.
Local businesses have also seized the opportunity to capitalize on the influx of visitors, with some setting up stalls selling pope-themed merchandise. Teacher Silverio Tilman reported making more than $600 in two days from T-shirt sales, double the average monthly salary.
