Pope Francis Receives Warm Welcome in East Timor During Exhausting Asia Tour

Pope Francis recently visited East Timor, a predominantly Catholic country that gained independence from Indonesia after a U.N.-backed referendum. This visit was highly anticipated, as it marked the 25th anniversary of the referendum that paved the way for independence. The last pope to visit, St. John Paul II, came when Timor was still under Indonesian occupation. The country faced a brutal scorched-earth campaign after voting for independence, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life. This visit drew international attention to the plight of the Timorese people and the oppressive nature of Indonesia’s occupation. The current visit by Pope Francis comes at a time of celebration, as East Timor is now a free nation. However, the Pope will also address the country’s traumatic legacy, including the sexual abuse allegations against Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, a key figure in the fight for independence. The Vatican acknowledged that Belo had been sanctioned for abusing young boys, limiting his movements and ministry activities. Despite these challenges, the people of East Timor are hopeful that Pope Francis’ visit will help consolidate national unity, peace, and development in their young nation.

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