Dili, April 28, 2025 (Média Democracia) – Catholics in Timor-Leste held a requiem mass and funeral ceremony for the late Pope Francis at the Holy Altar of Tasi-Tolu. With tearful eyes and heavy hearts, the faithful celebrated the mass this past Saturday.
Concelebrant Dom Leandro Maria stated during the homily after the Gospel reading that Jesus appeared to his apostles to tell them to rest in peace, not simply to remain idle, but to encourage them to continue their respective missions.
“Dear brothers and sisters, many people have expressed condolences over the passing of Pope Francis. We are deeply saddened, from the leaders of nations and religions to every Catholic who shared their personal experiences through the media or direct encounters, reflecting on the teachings the Holy Father imparted while he lived in this world,” said Dom Leandro Maria Alves during his homily.
He continued, emphasizing that these expressions reflect the love and admiration for Pope Francis, as the entire Church of Timor-Leste holds unforgettable memories of him. These memories will live on and burn brightly in the hearts of every Catholic.
“On September 10, 2024, we all gathered here at this very place with Christ’s vicar to raise the Eucharistic sacrifice to God the Father. Here we rejoiced and sang aloud, praising his name and shouting, ‘Long live Pope Francis!'” Dom Leandro Maria Alves recalled.
However, he acknowledged that today, all gathered once more at the same location, but with heavy hearts, raising the Eucharistic sacrifice to thank God for allowing them to experience His presence through Pope Francis, who once visited this beloved land with love.
“Pope Francis was a simple and humble person, who spoke in a way everyone could understand, who embraced everyone, and respected all religions. He loved nature and always showed a smiling face, radiating saintly love,” he said.
He explained that Pope Francis himself manifested Christ’s words to the apostles to “rest in peace.” Through his simplicity, the Pope showed he was united with God the Father and unafraid to speak because he rested with Christ.
“Everyone felt peace and joy whenever they saw and encountered Pope Francis, there was a special strength in him that attracted happiness and God’s light,” he said.
He stressed that Pope Francis’ words and actions were a direct expression of God Himself. The people of Timor-Leste must be grateful for having been the final destination of his long and meaningful journeys.
“We, the people of Timor-Leste, are joyful because this ‘Shepherd’ visited our beloved land, walked among us, laughed with us, spoke to us, offered priceless words, blessed us, embraced us, and prayed for us. We were especially moved when we heard Pope Francis say: ‘My heart falls for Timor-Leste.’ These words became a precious memory of his visit here,” he said.
He emphasized that this beautiful statement was not uttered to any other country during his apostolic journeys only to Timor-Leste. It proved that Pope Francis made his pastoral visit to Timor-Leste with deep love.
As Timorese heard these words, all felt immense joy and pride, knowing that Timor-Leste held a special place in Pope Francis’ heart. The land became the center of the Pope’s heart, as his heartfelt and sincere expressions deeply touched every Timorese soul.
Representing the Catholic faithful, Raul Varella stated that he arrived at Tasi-Tolu as early as 2:00 PM, even though the funeral mass for Pope Francis was scheduled to begin at 6:00 PM, because he felt deep sadness and wanted to fully participate in the final mass.
“That’s why today I brought a statue of the Holy Father, which I had acquired while working in South Korea in 2019 during Pope Francis’ apostolic visit there. I brought it here today to this funeral mass to pay my last homage to him,” said Raul Varella.
He emphasized that this mass was very important for all Catholics in Timor-Leste, as a final tribute to the death of His Holiness Pope Francis through the final funeral mass at the Holy Altar of Tasi-Tolu.
“All Catholics in Timor-Leste are deeply saddened by the loss of such a great figure, Pope Francis who taught Timor-Leste how to live in fraternity, peace, and inner harmony, as humans and as believers, strengthening our life of fraternity,” he said.
He added that Pope Francis’ teaching on fraternity must be implemented by leaders, emphasizing the need for Timor-Leste’s future to be built on unity among its leaders.
Report : Nelfiano
Photo : Nelfiano