Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes Staff
D.W.G. Kalani Tharanga is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Political Blogs.
Unprecedented Gathering for Pope Francis's Mass in Dili
In one of the largest gatherings of his papacy, Pope Francis celebrated a massive open air mass attended by around 600,000 people in Timor Leste, marking a significant moment for the country, where nearly half of its population came together. The small Southeast Asian nation, known for its devout Roman Catholic faith, hosted the mass on disputed land in Tasitolu, just outside the capital Dili. The venue's selection was controversial, as authorities had recently evicted nearly 90 residents from the area, drawing criticism from locals who had settled there in search of work over the past decade. Despite the government's insistence that these residents were squatting, the displacement left families like Zerita Correia's without homes, casting a shadow over the event. Regardless of the underlying tensions, the mass underscored Timor Leste's status as a Catholic stronghold, being the only country with a Catholic majority on the Pope's Asia Pacific tour.
Calls for Justice and Accountability Amid Sexual Abuse Allegations
The Pope’s visit to Timor Leste has been clouded by controversy surrounding Nobel Peace Prize winning Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, accused of sexually abusing minors during the 1980s and 90s. While the Vatican imposed restrictions on the bishop in 2020, many had hoped that Pope Francis would address the issue directly during his visit. Though he did not reference the case specifically, the pontiff used his speech to urge for stronger protections for young people against abuse, calling for a collective effort to safeguard children’s dignity and ensure a peaceful upbringing. Advocacy groups, such as the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests in Oceania, have called on the Church to provide compensation for the victims. The Pope’s remarks also acknowledged Timor Leste's struggles for independence, praising the nation’s resilience and celebrating its journey to peace and freedom after decades of conflict with Indonesia. As his visit to the country concludes, the balance between celebration and controversy remains at the forefront of discussions surrounding the papal tour.
