Pope Francis Draws 600,000 for Mass in East Timor, Nearly Half of Country's Population

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In a historic visit to East Timor, Pope Francis celebrated a mass that attracted over 600,000 worshipers, nearly half of the country’s 1.3 million population. The mass, held on Monday at the Esplanade of Tasitolu in the capital Dili, marked the first papal visit since East Timor's independence from Indonesia in 2002. The predominantly Catholic nation is considered one of the most devout in the world, with over 97% of the population professing the faith.

During the mass, Pope Francis encouraged the faithful, saying, "May your faith be your culture, may it inspire principles, projects, and choices in conformity with the Gospel." He praised the country's high birthrate and youthful population, urging the people to continue nurturing their families with love and faith.

This visit follows Pope John Paul II’s visit in 1999, a time when the Timorese were struggling for independence. Pope Francis’ visit is part of his broader apostolic journey across Southeast Asia and Oceania, including stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.

The Pope's journey, his 45th apostolic mission, highlights his commitment to reaching Catholic communities often overlooked by global attention.