Pope Francis arrives in Dili

This Monday, September 9, Pope Francis landed in Dili, capital of East Timor and the third country he visits on his trip through Asia and Oceania.

Arrival in East Timor

The Holy Father landed in East Timor just after 2:10 pm (local time), after a trip of just over 3 hours from Papua New Guinea.

In the capital and most populated city of this Southeast Asian country, Pope Francis will be until Wednesday, September 11, the day he will head to Singapore, the last stage of his trip.

It is worth remembering that Saint John Paul II visited this city during his trip to Indonesia in 1989, making Pope Francis the second Pontiff to visit it.

Upon his arrival at the “Presidente Nicolau” Lobato International Airport in Dili, at 2:20 p.m. (local time), the Holy Father was received by the President of East Timor, José Ramos Horta.

After greeting the honor guard, two children placed a traditional cloth on Pope Francis’ shoulders. He also stopped to talk with faithful who were waiting for him at the foot of the plane and airport employees.

Dili city

This city, the country’s main port and center of commerce, was colonized by the Portuguese in 1520.

It was disputed in the following years by the Spanish, Dutch, British and, during World War II, it was occupied by the Japanese until September 26, 1945, when the territory was returned to the Portuguese.

After gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, East Timor was invaded in 1976 by Indonesian forces, until May 20, 2002, when it finally declared its independence.

It should be noted that about 98% of the inhabitants of East Timor are Catholics. In Dili, of its 783,437 inhabitants, 740,250 are Catholics. Furthermore, in this city there are 33 parishes, 234 churches and 214 priests.

Pope Francis’ commitments in East Timor

After the official welcome, the Pontiff will continue with his busy agenda and this September 9 he will visit the President of the country and hold a meeting with the authorities, civil society and the country’s diplomatic corps.

Tomorrow, September 10, he is scheduled to visit disabled children, as well as the usual meeting with bishops and priests, a private meeting with members of the Society of Jesus and he will preside over a Mass on the esplanade of “Tasi Tolu”.

On Wednesday, he will hold a meeting with young people and will say goodbye to Dili at 11.15 am (local time) bound for Singapore.