Pope Francis embarks on a historic trip to East Timor, where he meets with government officials, civil society members, and the diplomatic corps. The 87-year-old pontiff’s visit is part of a 12-day journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Arriving from Papua New Guinea, where he delivered medical supplies to a remote town, Francis was warmly welcomed in Dili, the Timorese capital. East Timor, a nation that gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 after a long occupation, is predominantly Catholic, with 96% of the population adhering to the faith.
Despite its deeply rooted Catholicism, the Church in East Timor has faced recent abuse scandals, with notable cases involving Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo and defrocked American priest Richard Daschbach.
Pope Francis’s visit, the second by a Pope to East Timor following John Paul II’s in 1989, aims to strengthen ties with the Catholic community in the country. This trip comes at a crucial time for the nation, reflecting on its independence and addressing the challenges faced by the Church.
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