Pope Francis received a massive, heartwarming reception as he touched down in East Timor on Monday. The Southeast Asian nation, still healing from its violent past and celebrating two decades of independence, welcomed the pope with open arms as he came to support their recovery and applaud their progress after years of struggle under Indonesian rule.
The streets of Dili, the capital, were packed with Timorese citizens as the pope’s motorcade made its way from the airport. People waved both Vatican and Timorese flags, filling the air with excitement and hope. Many carried yellow and white umbrellas, the colors of the Vatican, as they sought shelter from the blazing midday sun. The energy was palpable, and chants of “Viva el Papa!” echoed through the crowd as Pope Francis passed by.
One particularly touching moment came when his vehicle slowed down, allowing him to bless a baby presented to him in the middle of the sea of people. This brief interaction symbolized the deep connection between the people of East Timor and the pontiff, whose visit held both religious and national significance.
Despite security personnel lining the streets, the sheer size of the crowd often slowed down the motorcade to a crawl. The enthusiasm was overwhelming, with many sporting T-shirts adorned with the pope's image. Billboards featuring Pope Francis and messages of welcome were scattered along the route, highlighting the importance of this visit to the Timorese.
At 87 years old, Pope Francis appeared to relish every moment of the welcome. Smiling warmly, he waved to the thousands who lined the streets, seemingly unfazed by the slower pace. This trip to East Timor marked the third leg of his journey through Southeast Asia and Oceania, with the pope having arrived from Papua New Guinea.
East Timor’s political heavyweights, President Jose Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, both national heroes from the country’s fight for independence, were on hand to meet Pope Francis at the airport. The trio's meeting was a powerful reminder of the intertwined nature of religion and politics in East Timor, where Catholicism plays a central role in the nation’s identity and history. Later that day, the pope was scheduled to address government officials and diplomats after the official welcome ceremony.
The people of East Timor have been eagerly awaiting this visit, which comes just after the 25th anniversary of the U.N.-backed referendum that ultimately led to their independence from Indonesia. For many, Pope Francis’ presence symbolizes a beacon of hope and a sign of continued progress.
“Our great hope is that he may come to consolidate the fraternity, the national unity, peace, and development for this new country,” expressed Estevão Tei Fernandes, a university professor. His words reflect the collective yearning of the Timorese people, who continue to rebuild their country and strengthen their national identity.
The atmosphere surrounding this papal visit was worlds apart from the last time a pope stepped foot on Timorese soil. When St. John Paul II visited in 1989, East Timor was still under Indonesian occupation, and its people were fighting a bloody battle for freedom. It was a dark time, with Indonesian forces retaliating harshly after the Timorese voted overwhelmingly for independence in a U.N.-backed referendum in 1999. The response was brutal: 80% of the country’s infrastructure was destroyed in a scorched-earth campaign by the Indonesian military, shocking the world and drawing international attention to the atrocities being committed.
In total, during the 24 years of Indonesian rule, as many as 200,000 people lost their lives, either through direct violence or as a result of the war’s devastating consequences. St. John Paul II’s visit in 1989 played a significant role in bringing global awareness to the plight of the Timorese. His Mass near the seaside in Dili drew attention to the Timorese struggle and cast a glaring spotlight on Indonesia’s oppressive occupation.
Vicente Oliveira Soares, a 42-year-old business owner in Dili, reflected on the differences between the two papal visits. “That was a different time,” he said, remembering St. John Paul II’s visit under occupation. “Now we are happy because we are free. As a new nation, we are very happy to receive and meet with Pope Francis.” Soares' words encapsulate the sense of pride and progress felt across East Timor as they move forward, embracing their future as a free and independent nation.
However, Pope Francis' visit also brings up memories of darker chapters in Timorese history, both politically and within the Church. One prominent figure tied to both religion and the independence movement is Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo. Belo, once regarded as a hero for his efforts in supporting the Timorese cause, has faced allegations of sexual abuse. In 2022, the Vatican confirmed that it had quietly sanctioned Belo two years prior after accusations emerged that he had sexually abused young boys. These sanctions included strict limitations on his movements, banning him from exercising his ministry and prohibiting contact with minors or even visiting East Timor itself.
The revelation of Belo's misconduct was a heavy blow for the Timorese, who had once revered him as a figure of hope during their fight for liberation. The sanctions were further tightened in 2021, a somber reminder that even heroes are not immune to accountability.
Another shadow over the Church’s role in Timorese history is the case of American missionary Richard Daschbach. A well-known figure during the independence fight, Daschbach was once celebrated for his efforts to save lives during the conflict. However, he has since been convicted and sentenced to 12 years in a Timorese prison for molesting disadvantaged girls. Like Belo, Daschbach’s actions have tainted the image of the Church in the eyes of many, though the institution has taken steps to defrock him and distance itself from his crimes.
Despite these dark stains, the arrival of Pope Francis serves as a moment of healing and hope for East Timor. His visit is not only a celebration of the country’s progress since independence but also a reminder of the resilience of its people. As East Timor continues to face challenges, both in its economic development and its confrontation with painful legacies, the pope's message of unity, peace, and fraternity resonates deeply.
For East Timor, this visit is more than a religious event—it is a national moment of reflection and celebration. The pope’s presence on the heels of the 25th anniversary of their independence referendum reinforces the progress they have made and the steps still to be taken in their journey toward becoming a prosperous and united nation.
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