East Timor faithful, ex-rebels see hope after Pope Francis

Thirteen stages that marked twelve years of pontificate, from the first visit to South Korea to the long trip last September to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore. A message of peace and hope that strengthened the links between the Church and the different Asian cultures.

East Timor faithful, ex-rebels see hope after Pope Francis

Brandishing his government-gifted medals near a statue of the Virgin Mary in East Timor's capital, ex-rebel Crisanto de Jesus Alves da Costa says Pope Francis's message of hope on a rare visit last year offered a bright path for Asia's youngest nation. The Argentine pontiff, who died on Monday, was the first to visit the

“It wasn't just Christians who lost a leader, it was the world,” said the Episcopal vicar of the Diocese of Dili, stressing that the Pope opened the eyes of the church and woke people up to fraternity.

East Timor mourns Pope Francis months after emotional visit

Just months after Pope Francis visited Catholic-majority East Timor, residents on Tuesday mourned his death with flags at half-mast, candle-lit vigils and emotional ceremonies with his trip fresh in their memory.

Tears, memories as fervently Catholic East Timor mourns Pope Francis

DILI - More than 1,500 people packed into a cathedral in East Timor on Tuesday and an overspill of hundreds swarmed outside as one of the world's most devoutly Roman Catholic nations mourned the passing of Pope Francis. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Heading for Vatican, cardinal recalls Pope Francis’ love for East Timor

By Ananda Teresia DILI, East Timor (Reuters) – The first ever cardinal of Roman Catholic-majority East Timor had barely had time to process the news of Pope Francis’ death when he received the summons to attend the conclave that will elect the new pontiff half a world away in the Vatican. More than 97% of East Timor’s 1.3 million people are Roman Catholics, making it one of the largest majorities in the world. Along with the Philippines, it is a…