Timor-Leste mourns Pope Francis as a symbol of peace and humility

Devout Catholics in Dili hold prayers while others reject the death of Pope Francis as misinformation.

A Catholic faithful wears a T-shirt featuring a portrait of Pope Francis as worshippers gather for a special Mass following news of his death, at Balide Church in Dili, East Timor, on April 21, 2025. Photo by Valentino Dariel de Sousa/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Catholics across Timor-Leste are in mourning following the death of Pope Francis, with many honoring his legacy as a champion of the poor and a humble spiritual leader. His passing at the age of 88 on Easter Monday has sparked both grief and disbelief in this predominantly Catholic Southeast Asian nation. As Timor-Leste mourns Pope Francis, prayers and tributes poured in from communities still touched by his recent historic visit to the country.

Dili remembers a humble leader

In the capital Dili, worshippers gathered at Catholic churches to pay tribute to the late pontiff, recalling the deep emotional impact of his September 2024 visit. The papal tour had drawn hundreds of thousands, with a memorable open-air mass attended by nearly half of the country’s 1.3 million citizens.

“When I hear and see the news on social media, I was very, very sad because of the loss of a Pope that was known in the world, particularly in Timor-Leste,” said Maria, a 40-year-old churchgoer who declined to give her last name. “He was a simple man, a very humble man, a figure that gets close with the common people. We really miss Pope Francis.”

This sentiment echoed throughout Dili, where locals had only recently welcomed the first Latin American pope with celebrations akin to a rock concert. In a country where the Catholic Church plays a central role in daily life and politics, the death of Pope Francis felt like a deeply personal loss to many.

A president and a people in mourning

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos-Horta, who had hosted Pope Francis during his 2024 tour, publicly mourned the pontiff’s death. In a statement, he praised Francis’s "very brave" stance on issues affecting the world’s poorest populations and his unwavering call for peace.

The nation’s highest-ranking Catholic figure, Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, also paid tribute to the pope, announcing that the Vatican flag would be flown at half-mast at his residence. He added that special masses would be held across the country’s churches in the coming days in remembrance of the pontiff.

“Pope Francis was not just a spiritual leader; he was a voice for those on the margins of society,” Cardinal da Silva said. “We are deeply saddened by his passing.”

Echoes of the papal visit

During his trip to Timor-Leste last year, Pope Francis delivered several powerful messages that resonated deeply with Timorese Catholics. In a speech delivered in Dili, he urged national leaders to confront all forms of abuse and to foster a safe environment for children and young people.

“We are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people,” he said during that address. The statement came in the wake of multiple abuse scandals involving members of the Timor-Leste clergy.

The pope's words were seen as a significant moral intervention, particularly following cases such as that of Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, a Nobel laureate punished in secrecy by the Vatican over sexual abuse allegations, and Richard Daschbach, a defrocked American priest convicted in 2021 of abusing girls in an orphanage. Though Pope Francis did not mention any specific cases, his message carried weight.

Denial and disbelief amid mourning

Despite the overwhelming sorrow, not all in Timor-Leste accepted the reality of Pope Francis’s passing. Some locals expressed skepticism, fueled by disbelief that the energetic reformer, who had recently visited their country and showed no signs of slowing down, could die so soon.

“There are those who believe it and also think this is a lie. They think this is fake news,” said Glenn Bawakana Soares, a 22-year-old student in Dili. “They don't accept reality.”

For many Timorese, the timing of the pope’s death—on Easter Monday—added a surreal, even symbolic layer to their disbelief. The pope had come to symbolize hope and resilience, especially in a nation where poverty and historical trauma still shape daily life.

A revolutionary figure for the marginalized

Ato Lekinawa Costa, chief editor of the local news outlet Neon Metin, emphasized the importance of Pope Francis’s legacy to Timor-Leste society.

“A revolutionary pope, he is the hope of marginalised people but his health did not let him live long enough to defend his work,” Costa said. “The wave of goodbye in his visit last year means forever now, but hopefully the next pope will carry on Pope Francis’s good work and commitment.”

This sentiment reflects a broader hope among Timor-Leste Catholics that the next pontiff will continue to prioritize issues of inequality, abuse, and environmental stewardship—core themes of Pope Francis’s papacy.

Global resonance in a small nation

Though Timor-Leste is one of the world’s poorest and smallest countries, the impact of Pope Francis’s death has been as profound here as anywhere in the Catholic world. His visit in 2024 was more than symbolic; it was an affirmation of the country’s place in the global church.

Many recalled the warmth with which the pope addressed Timorese crowds, often stepping off script to connect directly with children and community leaders. His compassion, humility, and call for justice were not lost on a population that has endured colonization, occupation, and violence for decades.

Even for those who questioned or dismissed the reports of his death, the grief in the streets of Dili, the prayers in local churches, and the half-mast flags made one thing clear: Timor-Leste mourns Pope Francis not just as a religious leader, but as a friend, a guide, and a symbol of enduring hope.

As the country prepares to hold memorial masses and tributes in the coming days, many are already asking what his death will mean for the future of Catholic leadership—and whether his powerful message of justice and compassion will continue to guide the church’s path in Timor-Leste and beyond.