Pope Francis Visits East Timor: A Journey of Faith and Reconciliation

Pope Francis embarks on a historic three-day visit to East Timor, a predominantly Catholic nation in Southeast Asia. The visit includes a massive open-air Mass and addresses recent abuse scandals within the church, urging transparency and reconciliation. This is part of his longest overseas journey, covering four countries in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

Pope Francis arrived on Monday in East Timor, a predominantly Catholic nation in Southeast Asia, kicking off a three-day visit that includes an open-air Mass projected to attract more than half the population of the 1.3 million residents. This stop is part of his ambitious 12-day tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania, which stands as his longest overseas journey yet.

The pontiff arrived from Papua New Guinea, where he had delivered medical supplies to a remote town. Upon landing in East Timor's capital, Dili, Francis was greeted by President Jose Manuel Ramos-Horta and local women in traditional dresses, who offered flowers and a ceremonial scarf. Thousands of citizens lined the streets, using umbrellas styled in Vatican colors to shield themselves from the scorching sun.

East Timor gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 following a brutal occupation. The nation is considered highly devout, with 96% of its population adhering to Catholicism. A Mass on Tuesday is expected to draw 750,000 participants. However, the church's image has been tarnished by recent abuse scandals. Advocacy groups urge the pope to address these issues candidly. Francis will also meet with political leaders during his stay, before moving on to Singapore and subsequently returning to Rome.

(With inputs from agencies.)