Today, September 9, Pope Francis arrived in the former Portuguese colony of East Timor (Timor-Leste) for a three-day visit. This is the first papal visit to the country in over 30 years.
The visit is part of his 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, with East Timor being the third stop.
Upon arrival in Dili, the capital, Pope Francis was warmly welcomed by President José Manuel Ramos-Horta, who presented him with traditional honors, and thousands of citizens who lined the streets of the capital city waving Vatican flags.
A significant part of his visit is a massive open-air Mass scheduled for September 10, 2024, expected to attract up to 750,000 attendees—more than half the nation’s population.
The country, one of the most Catholic nations in the world, with nearly 98% of its population being Catholic, has a deep connection to the Catholic Church, which played a key role in its struggle for independence from Indonesia, the largest muslin country in the world.
During his visit, Pope Francis addressed key issues affecting the nation, such as poverty, education, and the need to protect the dignity of children and youth, referencing recent abuse scandals that have impacted the Church in East Timor. He also emphasized the importance of investing in education to help build a brighter future for the country’s youth, given that about 65% of its population is under 30.
In his address at the Presidential Palace, the Pope entrusted the nation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, invoking her protection as the country continues its mission of peace and unity after decades of conflict. He also highlighted the importance of ensuring no one in the country feels excluded, emphasizing peace, dignity, and social justice.
Pope John Paul IIvisited to cheer on the nation two decades after it became independent in 2002.
East Timor was colonized by Portugal in the 16th century and remained under Portuguese rule until 1975. Following the Portuguese Revolution in 1974, which led to the decolonization of many Portuguese territories, East Timor declared its independence from Portugal in November 1975. However, independence was short-lived, as Indonesia invaded the country just nine days later and occupied it for 24 years.
Under Indonesia’s rule, the former Portuguese colony experienced significant violence and human rights violations. It wasn’t until 1999, after a United Nations-sponsored referendum in which the people of East Timor overwhelmingly voted for independence, that Indonesia withdrew.
The country officially gained independence on May 20, 2002, becoming the first new sovereign state of the 21st century. East Timor’s Portuguese heritage is still evident today in its language (Portuguese is one of the official languages) and its Catholic identity.
Timor-Leste also remains one of the poorest countries, with some 42% living below the poverty line, according to the U.N. Development Program.
East Timor, is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), which comprises 9 countries namely: Brazil, Angola, Cabo Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tome and Principe, and Timor-Leste.
The Portuguese language, spoken by more than 260 million people worldwide, and one of the fastest-growing languages globally (UNESCO), is also spoken in many Portuguese communities in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and parts of Africa and Asia. In New England, in the United States, Portuguese is the third most widely spoken language after English and Spanish.
Brazil, with a population of over 207 million, is the largest Portuguese-speaking nation. Portuguese is also spoken in Goa in India and the territory of Macau in China. Someone who speaks Portuguese is called a Lusophone.
Portuguese is also one the official language of international organizations such as the European Union, the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, and the Union of South American Nations, recognized as a working language of the African Union, the Mercosur, and the Organization of Ibero-American States. It is an important language for diplomacy, trade, and communication. Portuguese is also the fifth most used language on the Internet and is the fourth most used on Facebook.
PAJ/Staff
