Holy See representative announces possible visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Timor-Leste
After the meeting today, February 12th, 2024, with the President of the Republic, José Ramos Horta, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi announced the preparations underway “for the possible visit of the Holy Father Pope Francis to Timor-Leste”.
Monsignor Marco Sprizzi also said that “it is not possible to confirm the date” and that this information “will be announced by the Vatican together with the Government”. 
The Holy See representative also assured that "the Timorese Government is making excellent preparations" and also expressed that "the Vatican delegation [that came to Timor-Leste last month for three days] was very impressed with the work that the Timorese Government is doing in this preparation". 
Marco Sprizzi expressed his gratitude "on behalf of the Holy See, to the Government, the President of the Republic, the Prime Minister, the Ministers, for the enormous, excellent, competent and efficient work that is being done to prepare for the Pope's possible visit to Timor-Leste".
The Prime Minister, Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, through Order No. 012/GPM /I/2024, of January 11th, 2024, appointed the Minister of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers, Agio Pereira, as High-Level Institutional General Coordinator for the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis. The Minister of State Administration, Tomás do Rosário Cabral, was appointed High-Level Institutional Vice General Coordinator for this visit. 
The responsibilities of the High-Level Institutional General Coordinator and the Vice General Coordinator include representing the Government of Timor-Leste with the representatives of the Holy See responsible for preparing the visit of His Holiness Pope Francis to Timor-Leste, accompanying the Vatican delegation and proposing the appointment of an Executive Committee to prepare the visit. They are also mandated to liaise with competent government departments and other entities so that they take all the necessary actions to make the visit a reality.
The organising committee, led by Minister Agio Pereira, has made every effort to prepare the logistics, infrastructure, security, health, protocol and communications to ensure the success of His Holiness Pope Francisco’s visit to Timor-Leste.
