Pope Francis then signed the Book of Honour, and then moved to the "Salåo China" of the presidential palace, from where he addressed the approximately 400 people present, representatives of the authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps. It was an opportunity to retrace the history of Timor-Leste, from the arrival of the first Dominican missionaries who brought Catholicism and the Portuguese language - still the official language along with Tetum - to the struggle for independence from Indonesia after the emancipation from Portugal in 1975, definitively obtained in 2002.
The country, as reiterated by Pope Francis, "has known the convulsions and violence, which are often recorded when a people faces full independence and its search for autonomy is denied or opposed", but "it has been able to rise again, finding a path of peace and openness to a new phase", of development and enhancement of its natural and human resources.
"You have kept hope firm even in affliction and, thanks to the disposition of your people and your faith, you have transformed pain into joy! May Heaven grant that even in other situations of conflict, in different parts of the world, the desire for peace prevails. In fact, unity is superior to conflict, always. The peace of unity is superior to conflict, "the Pontiff added.
Today Timor-Leste is a peaceful and democratic country that is committed to building a fraternal society, developing peaceful relations with its neighbours, within the international community. However, there is no shortage of challenges, which often affect the youngest. 65% of the population is under 30 years of age and there are many critical issues for this segment of the population, such as the spread of alcohol and criminal gangs. "Give ideals to young people, so that they get out of these traps," Pope Francis urged.
The Holy Father then invited those present to invest in education, the family and school. This theme is, clearly, very dear to the entire Salesian Family, represented for the occasion by the Superiors of the Salesians of Don Bosco and the Daughters of Mary Help of Christians in Timor-Leste. For the entire Salesian Family, as well as for the entire Catholic community of the country, this visit is an opportunity for spiritual recharge, as well as an important event from a social, cultural and political point of view.
After entrusting Timor-Leste to the protection of the Immaculate Conception, "Virgem de Aitara", as she is particularly venerated in the country, Pope Francis greeted many of the guests at the presidential palace and also some of the palace staff, to whom he imparted blessings and gave rosaries.
On the second day of the visit, on 10 September, Pope Francis went to the "Casa Irmãs Alma", which guarantees care and assistance to minors with serious illnesses. Here, the Pontiff met the nuns and about fifty children, who welcomed him with songs and gifts. The Pope, pointing to the example of a child suffering from a neuro-degenerative disease, encouraged love towards the fragile.
He then met Bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, seminarians and catechists in the Cathedral in Dili. Speaking to the pastoral leaders of the country, the Holy Father reiterated that announcing Christ means serving the poor, watching over oneself because "mediocrity and spiritual lukewarmness are always lurking". It is necessary, he continued, not to close oneself in a lazy and self-referential religiosity, but to give new impetus to the faith against all this humiliates and destroys human dignity.
Finally, there was also a reference to the importance of the presence of women in the Church. "The message that you religious bring in the face of the phenomenon of disrespect for women is that women are the most important part of the Church, because they take care of the most needy" he stressed. "Sisters, be the mothers of the people of God; have the courage to give birth to communities, be mothers".
