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Agence France-Presse

An estimated 600,000 people in East Timor, just under half its population, turned out in the baking heat on Tuesday for a Mass with Pope Francis at a coastal park synonymous with the country’s long struggle for independence from Indonesia.
Filling a wide, dusty area where Indonesian forces were known to have buried slain Timorese independence fighters, people arrived as early as 1am and sat on the ground, many braving the sun for hours in temperatures as high as 32 degrees Celsius (90 degrees Fahrenheit).
Many people sheltered under umbrellas decorated in the white and yellow colours of the Vatican flag, while others sang local melodies, carried signs asking for blessings and shouted in joy as Francis arrived.
Reverend Pedro Amaral, one of hundreds of priests celebrating the Mass, said he came with 800 of his parishioners from Zumalai, a village about 140km (85 miles) away.
“I am so happy because we never thought we would see the pope,” said the priest.
Teacher Jamie Belo, 60, said he left home 12 hours before the Mass to secure a spot to see the pope.

A former Portuguese colony, East Timor is a half-island nation of 1.3 million people north of Australia and one of only two predominantly Catholic counties in Asia.
The Vatican estimated 600,000 had gathered for the early part of Tuesday’s Mass, in one of the largest ever turnouts as a proportion of a country’s population for a Mass during a papal visit.
Many in the crowd on the outskirts of Dili, the capital, appeared young, with mothers and fathers holding babies or keeping children around their legs.
East Timor, or Timor-Leste, lost more than 100,000 people in the 1975-99 conflict with Indonesia, according to the UN It now has a median age of 20, according to official estimates.
“How wonderful that here in Timor-Leste there are so many children!” Francis said during his homily for the Mass, looking out over the crowd.


“Indeed, you are a young country, and we can see every corner of your land teeming with life.”
The pope’s stop in East Timor is part of an ambitious 12-day, four-country tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, his longest yet.
It is likely the most Catholic country in the world, with the Vatican saying about 96 per cent of Timorese are adherents to the faith.
Francis is the first pope to visit East Timor in 35 years, following John Paul II, whose appearance gave the country’s independence movement a historic boost.

Like Francis, John Paul also celebrated Mass at the Tasitolu, now a protected area and “Peace Park” that overlooks the waters of the island’s northern coast.
John Paul’s Mass, held during the occupation, ended with a small chair-throwing melee between anti-government demonstrators and police officers. The late pope was unharmed.
Francis’ visit, held during the 25th anniversary of the vote for independence, at times resembled something more like an enormous party.
Crowds gathered for kilometres in the streets around Dili throughout Tuesday to follow the pope’s events, which also included a meeting with Catholic bishops at the cathedral and a visit with disabled children at a local Catholic school.

The 87-year-old pontiff, using a wheelchair due to knee and back pain, was often rolled near the rope lines outside his events.
People gathered around him, touched his hands, kissed his silver papal ring, or offered a tais, a traditional woven scarf, for him to wear. Dancers in feathered headdresses also played small drums.
The Mass, the largest papal event since Francis’ visit to Portugal last year for the Catholic Church’s World Youth Day festival, featured readings in Portuguese, Tetum, and five other local languages.
Francis is visiting East Timor until Wednesday as part of a tour that also included stops in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. He travels next to Singapore, before returning to Rome on September 13.


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Pope Francis

Pope Francis’ East Timor mass draws 600,000 worshippers, nearly half the nation, Vatican says

Catholic faithful attend a mass led by Pope Francis in East Timor, on September 10, 2024. Photo: AP

Pope Francis presides over a mass in a seaside park on the same field where St. John Paul II celebrated a historic liturgy during East Timor’s fight for independence from Indonesian rule. Photo: AP

Catholic faithful walk to attend a holy mass led by Pope Francis in East Timor on September 10. Photo: AFP

Faithful and priests use umbrellas with the colours of the Vatican flag to shield themselves from the sun as they wait for a mass presided over by Pope Francis. Photo: AP

Pope Francis’ historic Indonesia visit highlights religious intolerance despite unity claims

Pope Francis (left) delivers his address as Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo looks on during a meeting with Indonesian authorities, at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta on Wednesday. Photo: Vatican Media/AFP

Muslims gather outside the Istiqlal Mosque ahead of Pope Francis’ visit in Jakarta. The mosque will host an interfaith meeting between representatives of Indonesia’s six officially recognised religions and Pope Francis. Photo EPA-EFE

Joko Widodo receives Pope Francis during a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Jakarta. Photo: Vatican Media/dpa

‘It’s a dream’: Filipinos in Singapore rejoice at once-in-a-lifetime chance to see pope

Pope Francis waves to members of the Catholic community at a cathedral in Jakarta last week. The pontiff is set to arrive in Singapore on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

Worshippers gather for a holy mass led by Pope Francis in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Sunday. Photo: AFP

The Cathedral of the Good Shepherd, Singapore’s oldest Catholic church. About 395,000 Catholics live in Singapore. Photo: Singapore MCI

Pope Francis’ Indonesia visit to connect mosques & cathedrals via ‘Tunnel of Friendship’

A welcoming signboard for Pope Francis is seen installed at the Jakarta Cathedral. Photo: AFP

Muslims gather outside the Istiqlal Mosque ahead of Pope Francis’ visit in Jakarta, Indonesia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pope calls for Papua New Guinea to ‘end’ tribal violence, urges fair share of its resources

Pope Francis gives a speech in front of diplomats and dignitaries including the Governor General of Papua New Guinea Bob Dadae. Photo: EPA-EFE

Pope Francis said the cycle of violence in Papua New Guinea must be stopped. Photo: AFP

News

Asia

Southeast Asia

Pope Francis’ visit to East Timor drew a record-breaking crowd, highlighting the significance of the pontiff’s visit for the nation’s history and future


Pope Francis’ visit to East Timor drew a record-breaking crowd, highlighting the significance of the pontiff’s visit for the nation’s history and future.


Catholic Church

Religion

Indonesia

Timor-Leste