Pope Francis Welcomed by Thousands in 98% Catholic Timor-Leste saying "thanks to....your faith, you transformed pain into joy. May the desire for peace prevail in other situations" in the World FULL TEXT
.png)
APOSTOLIC JOURNEY OF HIS HOLINESS FRANCIS
TO INDONESIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, EAST TIMOR, SINGAPORE
(2-13 September 2024)
TO INDONESIA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, EAST TIMOR, SINGAPORE
(2-13 September 2024)
Pope Francis arrived in the capital of Timor-Leste, Dili, starting the third stage of his Apostolic Journey to Asia and Oceania, and is welcomed to the country by thousands of cheering people. After concluding his four-day visit to Papua New Guinea, Pope Francis travelled on Monday to Timor-Leste, the only nation on his itinerary where Catholics are, 98% of the population (1.3 Million), a majority. The papal plane, chartered by Air Niugini, landed in Dili, at the capital city's Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport at 2:20 pm local time after a three-and-a-half-hour flight from Papua New Guinea. Waiting on the tarmac were Timorese President José Manuel Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao, along with delegations and 14 people in traditional attire representing the 14 municipalities of the country. Two girls offered the Pope a traditional Timorese scarf, which they put around his neck. Crowds of people on the route to the Nunciature Pope Francis then left the airport on the Popemobile transferring him to the Apostolic Nunciature in Dili.
Afterwards he traveled to the Presidential Palace for the official welcome ceremony and his first official speech to Timor-Leste’s authorities. Crowds of people aligned the roads cheering him on and waving Vatican white and yellow flags. Pope Francis is the second Pontiff to visit Timor-Leste, after St. John Paul II, who travelled there on 12 October 1989. The central theme of the visit, “May your faith be your culture.” He will preside at Mass in the Taci Tolu Esplanade, in Dili on 10 September, which is expected to be attended by some 700,000 people.
Afterwards he traveled to the Presidential Palace for the official welcome ceremony and his first official speech to Timor-Leste’s authorities. Crowds of people aligned the roads cheering him on and waving Vatican white and yellow flags. Pope Francis is the second Pontiff to visit Timor-Leste, after St. John Paul II, who travelled there on 12 October 1989. The central theme of the visit, “May your faith be your culture.” He will preside at Mass in the Taci Tolu Esplanade, in Dili on 10 September, which is expected to be attended by some 700,000 people.
Addressing government leaders, representatives of civil society, and diplomats, Pope Francis invites the Timorese people allow their principles, projects, and choices to be inspired by their faith.
MEETING WITH THE AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
FULL TEXT ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER + VIDEO
Presidential Palace Hall (Dili, East Timor)
Monday, 9 September 2024
___________________________
Mr President, Mr Prime Minister,
distinguished members of the Government and the Diplomatic Corps,
Mr Cardinal, Bishops, representatives of civil society, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you very much for the cordial and joyful welcome to this beautiful land of Timor-Leste. I thank Mr. President, José Ramos-Horta, for the kind words he has just addressed to me.
Here Asia and Oceania touch each other and, in a certain sense, meet Europe, geographically distant but close because of the role it has played in these latitudes over the last five centuries. - I do not want to speak of the Dutch pirates. In fact, the first Dominican missionaries arrived from Portugal in the 16th century, bringing with them Catholicism and the Portuguese language; the latter, together with the Tetum language, are currently the two official languages of the State.
Christianity, born in Asia, reached these regions of the continent through European missionaries, which bears witness to its universal vocation and its capacity to harmonize with the most diverse cultures, which, upon encountering the Gospel, arrive at a new, higher and deeper synthesis. Christianity is inculturated, it takes on the cultures and there the various Eastern rites, of the various peoples, because one of the important dimensions of Christianity is the inculturation of faith. And at the same time, it evangelizes cultures. This binomial is important for Christian life: inculturation of faith and evangelization of culture. It is not an ideological faith, it is a faith rooted in culture.
This land, adorned with mountains, forests and plains, surrounded by a sea that is wonderful, as far as I could see, rich in so many things, so many fruits and woods. Nevertheless, this land has gone through a painful phase in its recent past, experiencing the upheavals and violence that often occur when a people sets out in search of full independence and that search for autonomy is denied or frustrated.
From November 28, 1975 to May 20, 2002, that is, from the declaration of independence to its definitive restoration, Timor-Leste has lived the years of its passion and its greatest trial. It has suffered. From then on, the country was able to rise again, finding a path of peace and openness towards a new phase, which aims to be one of development, of improvement in its living conditions, of potentialisation - at all levels - of the natural splendour of this territory, as well as of its natural and human resources.
Let us thank God that, when you had to go through such a dramatic period in your history, you did not lose hope, and also that, after dark and difficult days, a dawn of peace and freedom has finally dawned.
In order to achieve these important goals, you have been greatly helped by being rooted in faith, as Saint John Paul II emphasised when he visited your country. In his homily in Tasi-Tolu, he recalled that the Catholics of Timor-Leste have "a tradition in which family life, culture and social customs are deeply rooted in the Gospel"; a tradition “rich in the teachings and spirit of the Beatitudes,” a tradition rich in “humble trust in God, forgiveness and mercy, and, when necessary, patient suffering in tribulation” (12 October 1989). And this same thing – translated to today – I would say that you are a people who suffer, but who are wise in suffering.
In this regard, I would like to recall and praise, in a particular way, your diligent commitment to achieving reconciliation with your brothers in Indonesia, a disposition that found its first and purest source in the teachings of the Gospel. You kept your hope firm even in the midst of affliction and, thanks to the character of your people and your faith, you transformed pain into joy. May the desire for peace prevail in other situations of conflict in various parts of the world as well, because unity is superior to conflict, always – the peace of unity is superior to conflict. And this also requires a certain purification of memory, to heal wounds, to combat hatred with reconciliation and confrontation with collaboration. It is nice to talk about “the politics of the outstretched hand,” which is very wise, it is not stupid, no! Because when the outstretched hand is betrayed, it knows how to fight, it knows how to carry things forward.
It is also a cause for appreciation and gratitude that, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the country's independence, you have incorporated the Declaration on Human Fraternity as a national document - something I appreciate, Mr President - which I signed with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi. And, as requested by the same Declaration, you have done so so that it can be adopted and incorporated into the school curriculum, which is essential.
I would also like to urge you to continue, with renewed confidence, the wise construction and consolidation of the institutions of your Republic, so that citizens can feel effectively represented in them and that they are fully suited to serve the people of Timor-Leste.
A new horizon has now opened before you, without dark clouds, but with new challenges to face and new problems to solve. For this reason I would like to ask you to let faith, that faith that has enlightened and sustained you in the past, continue to inspire your present, your future: "may your faith be your culture!" That is to say, that it inspires criteria, projects and decisions according to the Gospel.
Among the many current challenges, I think of the phenomenon of emigration, which is always an indicator of an insufficient or inadequate use of resources, as well as of the difficulty of offering everyone a job that produces a fair profit and guarantees families the income that corresponds to their basic needs. And it is not always an external phenomenon. For example, in Italy there is emigration from the south to the north and we have an entire southern region that is becoming depopulated.
I also think of the poverty present in many rural areas, and of the consequent need for broad, collective action involving the many forces and different responsibilities, civil, religious and social, to remedy it and offer viable alternatives to emigration.
And finally, I think of those situations that can be considered true social plagues, such as the abuse of alcohol consumption among young people. Please take care of that! Give young people ideals so that they can escape from these traps! There is also the phenomenon of joining certain gangs who, emboldened by their knowledge of martial arts, instead of using it to serve the defenseless, take advantage of it to display the ephemeral and harmful power of violence. Violence is always a problem in villages. And let us not forget the many children and adolescents whose dignity has been wounded. This phenomenon is emerging all over the world. We are all called to act responsibly to prevent all kinds of abuse and ensure the peaceful growth of our young people.
To solve these problems, as well as to better manage the country's natural resources, among which I would like to highlight the oil and gas reserves, which could offer unprecedented development possibilities, it is essential to adequately prepare, with specialized training, those who are called to be, in the not-too-distant future, the ruling class of the country. I liked what the President told me about education here. In this way, they will be able to have the indispensable tools to design a wide-ranging project, in the exclusive interest of the common good.
The Church makes available its social doctrine as a basis for this process of formation, which constitutes an irreplaceable pillar on which to develop specific knowledge, and on which it is always necessary to rely in order to verify whether new achievements will truly benefit integral development or whether they will, on the contrary, be an obstacle that produces unacceptable imbalances and a high proportion of discarded people who are left aside. The Social Doctrine of the Church is not an ideology, it is based on fraternity. A doctrine that must favor — favors the development of peoples — especially the poorest.
However, despite the fact that there will always be difficulties — as happens in all peoples and in all times — I encourage you to have confidence and to keep a hopeful look towards the future. And there is one thing that I would like to tell you, which is not in the speech, because I carry it deep inside. This is a beautiful country, but what is the best thing about this country? The people. Take care of your people, love your people, make this people grow. This people is wonderful – it is wonderful. In the few hours that I have been here, I have seen how the people express themselves, your people express themselves with dignity and joy. They are a joyful people.
MEETING WITH THE AUTHORITIES, CIVIL SOCIETY AND THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS
FULL TEXT ADDRESS OF THE HOLY FATHER + VIDEO
Presidential Palace Hall (Dili, East Timor)
Monday, 9 September 2024
___________________________
Mr President, Mr Prime Minister,
distinguished members of the Government and the Diplomatic Corps,
Mr Cardinal, Bishops, representatives of civil society, ladies and gentlemen,
Thank you very much for the cordial and joyful welcome to this beautiful land of Timor-Leste. I thank Mr. President, José Ramos-Horta, for the kind words he has just addressed to me.
Here Asia and Oceania touch each other and, in a certain sense, meet Europe, geographically distant but close because of the role it has played in these latitudes over the last five centuries. - I do not want to speak of the Dutch pirates. In fact, the first Dominican missionaries arrived from Portugal in the 16th century, bringing with them Catholicism and the Portuguese language; the latter, together with the Tetum language, are currently the two official languages of the State.
Christianity, born in Asia, reached these regions of the continent through European missionaries, which bears witness to its universal vocation and its capacity to harmonize with the most diverse cultures, which, upon encountering the Gospel, arrive at a new, higher and deeper synthesis. Christianity is inculturated, it takes on the cultures and there the various Eastern rites, of the various peoples, because one of the important dimensions of Christianity is the inculturation of faith. And at the same time, it evangelizes cultures. This binomial is important for Christian life: inculturation of faith and evangelization of culture. It is not an ideological faith, it is a faith rooted in culture.
This land, adorned with mountains, forests and plains, surrounded by a sea that is wonderful, as far as I could see, rich in so many things, so many fruits and woods. Nevertheless, this land has gone through a painful phase in its recent past, experiencing the upheavals and violence that often occur when a people sets out in search of full independence and that search for autonomy is denied or frustrated.
From November 28, 1975 to May 20, 2002, that is, from the declaration of independence to its definitive restoration, Timor-Leste has lived the years of its passion and its greatest trial. It has suffered. From then on, the country was able to rise again, finding a path of peace and openness towards a new phase, which aims to be one of development, of improvement in its living conditions, of potentialisation - at all levels - of the natural splendour of this territory, as well as of its natural and human resources.
Let us thank God that, when you had to go through such a dramatic period in your history, you did not lose hope, and also that, after dark and difficult days, a dawn of peace and freedom has finally dawned.
In order to achieve these important goals, you have been greatly helped by being rooted in faith, as Saint John Paul II emphasised when he visited your country. In his homily in Tasi-Tolu, he recalled that the Catholics of Timor-Leste have "a tradition in which family life, culture and social customs are deeply rooted in the Gospel"; a tradition “rich in the teachings and spirit of the Beatitudes,” a tradition rich in “humble trust in God, forgiveness and mercy, and, when necessary, patient suffering in tribulation” (12 October 1989). And this same thing – translated to today – I would say that you are a people who suffer, but who are wise in suffering.
In this regard, I would like to recall and praise, in a particular way, your diligent commitment to achieving reconciliation with your brothers in Indonesia, a disposition that found its first and purest source in the teachings of the Gospel. You kept your hope firm even in the midst of affliction and, thanks to the character of your people and your faith, you transformed pain into joy. May the desire for peace prevail in other situations of conflict in various parts of the world as well, because unity is superior to conflict, always – the peace of unity is superior to conflict. And this also requires a certain purification of memory, to heal wounds, to combat hatred with reconciliation and confrontation with collaboration. It is nice to talk about “the politics of the outstretched hand,” which is very wise, it is not stupid, no! Because when the outstretched hand is betrayed, it knows how to fight, it knows how to carry things forward.
It is also a cause for appreciation and gratitude that, on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the country's independence, you have incorporated the Declaration on Human Fraternity as a national document - something I appreciate, Mr President - which I signed with the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar in Abu Dhabi. And, as requested by the same Declaration, you have done so so that it can be adopted and incorporated into the school curriculum, which is essential.
I would also like to urge you to continue, with renewed confidence, the wise construction and consolidation of the institutions of your Republic, so that citizens can feel effectively represented in them and that they are fully suited to serve the people of Timor-Leste.
A new horizon has now opened before you, without dark clouds, but with new challenges to face and new problems to solve. For this reason I would like to ask you to let faith, that faith that has enlightened and sustained you in the past, continue to inspire your present, your future: "may your faith be your culture!" That is to say, that it inspires criteria, projects and decisions according to the Gospel.
Among the many current challenges, I think of the phenomenon of emigration, which is always an indicator of an insufficient or inadequate use of resources, as well as of the difficulty of offering everyone a job that produces a fair profit and guarantees families the income that corresponds to their basic needs. And it is not always an external phenomenon. For example, in Italy there is emigration from the south to the north and we have an entire southern region that is becoming depopulated.
I also think of the poverty present in many rural areas, and of the consequent need for broad, collective action involving the many forces and different responsibilities, civil, religious and social, to remedy it and offer viable alternatives to emigration.
And finally, I think of those situations that can be considered true social plagues, such as the abuse of alcohol consumption among young people. Please take care of that! Give young people ideals so that they can escape from these traps! There is also the phenomenon of joining certain gangs who, emboldened by their knowledge of martial arts, instead of using it to serve the defenseless, take advantage of it to display the ephemeral and harmful power of violence. Violence is always a problem in villages. And let us not forget the many children and adolescents whose dignity has been wounded. This phenomenon is emerging all over the world. We are all called to act responsibly to prevent all kinds of abuse and ensure the peaceful growth of our young people.
To solve these problems, as well as to better manage the country's natural resources, among which I would like to highlight the oil and gas reserves, which could offer unprecedented development possibilities, it is essential to adequately prepare, with specialized training, those who are called to be, in the not-too-distant future, the ruling class of the country. I liked what the President told me about education here. In this way, they will be able to have the indispensable tools to design a wide-ranging project, in the exclusive interest of the common good.
The Church makes available its social doctrine as a basis for this process of formation, which constitutes an irreplaceable pillar on which to develop specific knowledge, and on which it is always necessary to rely in order to verify whether new achievements will truly benefit integral development or whether they will, on the contrary, be an obstacle that produces unacceptable imbalances and a high proportion of discarded people who are left aside. The Social Doctrine of the Church is not an ideology, it is based on fraternity. A doctrine that must favor — favors the development of peoples — especially the poorest.
However, despite the fact that there will always be difficulties — as happens in all peoples and in all times — I encourage you to have confidence and to keep a hopeful look towards the future. And there is one thing that I would like to tell you, which is not in the speech, because I carry it deep inside. This is a beautiful country, but what is the best thing about this country? The people. Take care of your people, love your people, make this people grow. This people is wonderful – it is wonderful. In the few hours that I have been here, I have seen how the people express themselves, your people express themselves with dignity and joy. They are a joyful people.
You are a young people, not because of your culture or because of the time you have settled on this land, which is very old, but because about 65% of the population of Timor-Leste is under 30 years old. I am thinking of two countries in Europe where the average age is 46 and 48 years old. And among you, 65% are under 30 years old, so we can think that the average age will be around 30 years old - a little less. That is a wealth. This figure tells us that the first area in which you have to invest is in education. I am happy with what I learned, through Mr. President, that you are doing. Keep going. I think that there are already several universities, although there are too many, there are several secondary schools, something that perhaps 20 years ago there were not. That is a very high rate of growth. Invest in education, in education in the family and in education in school. An education that puts children and young people at the centre and promotes their dignity. I was happy to see the children smiling, with those white teeth. There were children everywhere. The enthusiasm, the freshness, the projection towards the future, the courage and the ingenuity, typical of young people, together with the experience and wisdom of the elderly, form a providential mix of knowledge and generous impulses for tomorrow. And here I allow myself to give a piece of advice: bring children together with their grandparents. The meeting of children and grandparents brings about wisdom. Think about it.
Together, this youthful enthusiasm and this wisdom constitute a great resource that does not allow passivity and even less, pessimism. —I'm finishing now—.
The Catholic Church, its social doctrine, its institutions of assistance and charity for the poor, also its educational and medical assistance, are at the service of all and constitute a valuable resource that allows us to look to the future with eyes full of hope. In this regard, it is important to note that the Church's commitment to the common good is enhanced by the cooperation and support of the State, within the framework of the cordial relations developed between the Church and the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, recognised in the Agreement of the Parties which entered into force on 3 March 2016. Excellent relations.
Timor-Leste, which has been able to face moments of great tribulation with patient determination and heroism, lives today as a peaceful country, a democratic country, which is committed to building a society that is fraternal and develops peaceful relations with its neighbours in the international community. Looking at your recent past and at what has been achieved so far, there is reason to trust that your nation will also be able to face current difficulties and problems with intelligence, clarity and creativity. Trust in the wisdom of the people. The people have their wisdom. Trust in that wisdom.
I entrust Timor-Leste and all its inhabitants to the protection of the Immaculate Conception, their heavenly Patroness invoked under the title of Our Lady of Aitara. May she always accompany and help them in the mission of building a free, democratic, supportive and joyful country, where no one feels excluded and all can live in peace and dignity. God bless Timor-Leste! May the Lord bring blessings to Timor-Leste!
Comments