Dili, April 23, 2025 (Media Democracia) – FRETILIN Secretary General Marí Alkatiri, along with Party President Francisco Guterres Lu-Olo and his spouse, participated in a Requiem Mass for the late Pope Francis at the Cathedral of Dili.
Speaking after the mass, Alkatiri emphasized that Pope Francis was a messenger to the world and all of humanity not just to Catholics or Christians. According to him, the Pope’s legacy offers deep reflection on the state of the world and what it needs to be saved collectively.
“I believe the Pope left us a powerful message. He first addressed our people as our greatest wealth, then spoke of the youth and children, and finally of us, the elders. His final message invites us to reflect deeply on his concerns. This Holy Father has made history for the world not only for Catholics or Christians. I believe only someone truly transformed can continue his memory,” said Alkatiri to journalists following the Requiem Mass held Tuesday (22/04/2025) at Dili Cathedral.
President Lu-Olo also expressed his feelings, noting the global Catholic community has lost a great leader full of love and good deeds. “I believe we’ve lost an exceptional leader, one filled with compassion and good conduct for all people, both for Catholics and for the global community,” said Lu-Olo.
Lu-Olo recalled the important messages Pope Francis delivered during his visit to Timor-Leste in 2024, particularly on the values of peace and fraternity, which he believed must be sustained. He also echoed the Pope’s words on the richness of Timor-Leste’s people, urging citizens to recognize their own worth and work toward a better life. Lu-Olo said he personally learned much from the Pope’s messages at Tasi-Tolu during the papal visit.
Filomeno Martins da Silva also shared his reflections, stating that Catholics across the globe are saddened by the Pope’s passing. “Today, at Dili Cathedral, we held a mass in memory of Pope Francis. Everyone came to honor him,” he said.
He noted that although the Pope’s visit to Timor-Leste was brief just three days it left a profound and lasting impact. The values and messages the Pope delivered remain as moral direction for the faithful, especially the guidance he gave during his homily and evangelization, which are remembered and repeated today.
“Though brief, the Pope’s presence was filled with meaningful messages that guide how we live as Catholics, interlinked with our culture and way of life here in Timor-Leste,” Filomeno said.
He added that although the faithful are grieving, they continue to pray for the late Pope’s soul and ask all Catholics to pray also for Timor-Leste, as Pope Francis left messages of encouragement and hope.
“He once said that his beloved people were the Timorese who are always smiling and happy. That is a beautiful message, reminding us to maintain our faith as Catholic citizens, while also using it to strengthen our cultural identity,” he added.
Filomeno hopes that the election of the next Pope will be smooth, even though the process is strict, with candidates typically being cardinals under the age of 80. “We don’t yet know who the next Pope will be, but we hope everything goes well so that the Catholic world has a new spiritual leader soon,” he said.
Reported by : Estefania
Photo by : Estefania