By Charles Igwe
Pope Francis received an enthusiastic reception in East Timor, a predominantly Catholic country, as almost half the nation’s population gathered for an open-air Mass on Tuesday. The event, which took place in the capital, Dili, attracted a crowd of around 600,000 people, according to estimates from local authorities and the Vatican.
The pope’s visit to East Timor was one of the final stops on his extensive tour through Asia and the South Pacific. Streets in Dili were lined with cheering crowds, from the elderly to young families, all eager to catch a glimpse of the 87-year-old pontiff. Some attendees had been waiting in the seaside park, where the Mass was held, since as early as 4 a.m., more than 12 hours before the service began.
At the conclusion of the Mass, Pope Francis addressed the faithful in Spanish, with a priest translating into Timorese. The crowd erupted into laughter and applause when the pope made a lighthearted reference to crocodiles, which hold a special place in local tradition as ancestral symbols. “Be careful,” he warned with a smile, “I’ve been told that crocodiles visit some beaches. Crocodiles that come swimming and have a stronger bite than we can handle. Be attentive to those crocodiles that want to change your culture, your history. Stay away from those crocodiles because they bite, and they bite a lot.”
During his homily, Pope Francis also commended East Timor for its large population of children, calling them a “great gift” to the country.
The visit underscored the deep Catholic roots of East Timor, one of the most devoutly Catholic nations in the world, where the pope’s presence was met with immense joy and gratitude.
