Pope Francis Receives Enthusiastic Welcome in Catholic Stronghold of East Timor

In a display of profound faith and devotion, Pope Francis was greeted with immense enthusiasm in East Timor, one of the most Catholic nations globally, where nearly half of its population participated in an open-air Mass on Tuesday. The 87-year-old pontiff’s visit represents the second-to-last stop of his extensive journey across Asia and the South Pacific. According to the Vatican, local officials estimated that approximately 600,000 people attended the Mass, making it one of the largest gatherings of its kind.

Early on Tuesday, the capital city of Dili was bustling with activity as residents of all ages, from elderly congregants to parents with infants in strollers, filled the streets in anticipation of the pope’s arrival. The atmosphere was electric, with cheers echoing through the air as the pope made his way to the seaside park where the Mass was held.

Photographs from the event captured vast crowds holding yellow and white umbrellas—the colors emblematic of the Vatican—as they sought respite from the midday sun. In an effort to keep the attendees cool, a man was seen spraying water over the crowd with a hose, adding to the communal spirit of the day. Many devotees had been stationed in the park since 4 a.m., enduring more than twelve hours of waiting to secure a spot near the front.

Among the eager attendees was Estefania Clotaria-Monterio Gutierrez Ornai, a 25-year-old local who had been waiting since the early hours to witness the historic visit up close. She expressed her aspirations to CNN, stating, “I hope that through his visit here, he can show us to be more respectful to each other and encourage us that, one day, one of us could become the pope like him!”

As Pope Francis arrived amidst chants of “Viva Papa Francesco,” individuals with physical disabilities were given priority to meet the pontiff. Additionally, a group performed a traditional cultural dance in his honor, highlighting the rich heritage of East Timor. During the Mass, prayers were delivered in the local dialects, fostering a deeper connection with the diverse congregation.

At the end of the service, Pope Francis addressed the assembled crowd in Spanish, with a priest translating his words into Timorese. His remarks included a lighthearted yet poignant reference to the region’s crocodiles, creatures that hold significant cultural symbolism as ancestral beings. The pope cautioned the crowd, saying, “Be careful. I was told that crocodiles are coming to some beaches. Crocodiles that come swimming and have a stronger bite than we can handle. Be attentive to those crocodiles that want to change your culture, your history. And stay away from those crocodiles because they bite, and they bite a lot.”

In his homily, Pope Francis also lauded East Timor for its youthful population, describing the abundance of children as a “great gift.” This theme of valuing large families was consistent with his previous remarks during his visit to Indonesia, where he contrasted the country’s high birth rates with declining numbers in other regions.

Following the Mass, the atmosphere remained vibrant as local singer Maria Vitória da Costa Borges, popularly known as “Marvi,” took the stage. She performed alongside fellow Timorese artist Bepi, providing a cultural close to the day’s events. Marvi, a former winner of Portugal’s “The Voice,” showcased the country’s musical talents, further enhancing the celebratory mood.

However, the visit is not without its challenges. The issue of clerical sexual abuse looms over this segment of Pope Francis’s tour, especially in light of recent allegations involving prominent East Timorese clergy. During his address to the nation’s political leaders, the pope urged them to confront “every kind of abuse” to ensure a “healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people.”

East Timor, or Timor Leste, is one of the newest nations in the world, having gained independence in 2002 after a prolonged and violent struggle against Indonesian occupation. The Catholic Church played a pivotal role during this period, supporting the independence movement and suffering significant losses in the process. Today, with a population of approximately 1.3 million, East Timor stands as the second-most Catholic country globally, with 97% of its citizens identifying as Catholic— the highest percentage outside the Vatican.

The government of East Timor allocated $12 million for Pope Francis’s inaugural visit to the deeply religious nation, a figure that has sparked debate given the country’s modest economy and status as one of Asia’s poorest countries. This significant expenditure highlights the profound reverence the populace holds for the pope and the Catholic faith.

The pontiff’s visit comes at a time when the Catholic Church is under increased scrutiny for sexual abuse scandals. In East Timor, allegations have emerged involving high-profile clergy, casting a shadow over the pope’s appearance. Two years prior, the Vatican admitted to having disciplined Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, after accusations surfaced that he had sexually abused boys decades earlier. Although the Vatican placed Belo under travel restrictions and imposed prohibitions on contact with minors, the bishop has not faced official charges in East Timor and has not publicly addressed the allegations.

Analysts suggest that if Pope Francis chooses to speak directly about sexual abuse during his visit to East Timor, it would send a powerful message to both survivors and those who have yet to come forward, not only within the country but also across the broader region. While the issue is not formally on the agenda for this visit, the underlying concerns remain a critical aspect of the church’s current landscape.

Pope Francis’s 12-day expedition across Asia includes stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore, reflecting a strategic shift within the Catholic Church towards strengthening its presence in Asia. This visit marks the second time a pope has visited East Timor, the first being Pope John Paul II in 1989, but it is the first since the country achieved independence.

East Timor’s strategic location between northwestern Australia and Indonesia has historically made it a focal point for both regional influence and cultural exchange. The island of Timor, half-occupied by East Timor, was a Portuguese trading hub for sandalwood since the 17th century. Four centuries of Portuguese rule significantly influenced the religious landscape, leading to the widespread adoption of Catholicism in East Timor, in contrast to its Muslim-majority neighbor, Indonesia.

Today, East Timor’s economy is heavily dependent on its oil and gas resources, yet the nation continues to grapple with high poverty rates resulting from decades of conflict. Christina Kheng, a theologian at the East Asian Pastoral Institute, commented to CNN, stating that the young nation “is still struggling with post-war unity and nation building.” The country finds itself at the crossroads of geopolitical tensions, particularly between the United States and China, with Australia playing a key role as a US ally in providing support and assistance.

The legacy of Bishop Belo, a significant figure in East Timor’s fight for independence and a Nobel Peace Prize recipient alongside President Jose Ramos-Horta, adds a complex layer to the current visit. In 2022, the Vatican revealed that Belo had been sanctioned for alleged sexual abuse of minors, including accusations from two men who claimed the bishop had raped them during their teenage years and bribed them to keep silent. The Vatican’s actions included restricting Belo’s travel and prohibiting any contact with minors or individuals in East Timor.

Despite the gravity of the allegations, Bishop Belo has not faced formal charges within East Timor and has remained silent on the matter. This situation has left many victims hesitant to come forward, partly due to the church’s integral role in the country’s independence and the government’s harsh treatment of those few who have been convicted of abuse.

Since Pope Francis assumed leadership of the Catholic Church in 2013, numerous reports have emerged detailing systemic failures, cover-ups, and decades-long patterns of sexual abuse within the church across various nations. Although the pope has faced criticism for certain decisions, such as his initial defense of a Chilean bishop implicated in a sex scandal—which he later admitted was a “grave error”—he has taken a more resolute stance on these issues over time. Reforms introduced under his leadership include holding lay leaders of Vatican-approved associations accountable for any cover-ups related to sexual abuse.

The intertwining of the Catholic Church with East Timor’s struggle for independence is deeply rooted in the nation’s history. During the brutal Indonesian occupation from 1975 to 1999, over 200,000 people, roughly a quarter of the population, lost their lives due to violence, massacres, and famine. The Catholic Church was instrumental in resisting Indonesian control, with many of its clergy and workers suffering severe repercussions for their involvement in the pro-independence movement.

International condemnation of Indonesia’s actions peaked in 1991 following the Santa Cruz massacre in Dili, where Indonesian troops killed young independence supporters. The subsequent capture and imprisonment of Timorese guerrilla leader Xanana Gusmao in 1992 further galvanized opposition to Indonesian rule. The fall of Indonesian President Suharto in 1998 and subsequent policy shifts led to a UN-sponsored referendum in 1999, where more than 78.5% of East Timor’s population voted for independence.

The aftermath of the referendum was marred by violence as pro-Indonesian militias, backed by the Indonesian military, launched a campaign of killing and looting in the capital, Dili. Churches were attacked, priests were targeted, and those supporting independence were hunted down, resulting in widespread destruction of infrastructure and displacing around 200,000 people. An international peacekeeping mission led by Australia eventually intervened, culminating in East Timor’s official independence in 2002.

Throughout this tumultuous period, the Catholic Church stood as a bastion of support for the East Timorese people, providing sanctuary and advocating for their rights, often at great personal cost to its clergy and workers. This historical alliance between the church and the nation’s fight for freedom underscores the profound significance of Pope Francis’s visit, both as a spiritual leader and a symbol of enduring resilience.

As Pope Francis continues his journey through Asia, his visit to East Timor not only celebrates the nation’s deep-rooted Catholic faith but also brings to the forefront critical issues that the church must address to maintain its moral authority and support the communities it serves. The event in Dili serves as a poignant reminder of the church’s influential role in shaping East Timor’s identity and the ongoing challenges it faces in reconciling its past with the need for transparency and justice in the present.