The Vatican officially announced today, July 5th 2024, the programme of Pope Francis’s visit to Timor-Leste, which is part of his Apostolic Journey to Asia scheduled from 2 to 13 September 2024. In addition to Timor-Leste, this journey includes stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore.

The Holy Father will arrive in Timor-Leste on Monday, September 9^th, 2024, and will remain in the country until Wednesday, September 11^th, 2024.

The detailed program for Pope Francis’ visit to Timor-Leste begins with an official welcome upon arrival at the President Nicolau Lobato International Airport at 14:10. At 18:00, a welcome ceremony will take place outside the Presidential Palace, followed by a courtesy visit to the President of the Republic at 18:30. The Holy Father will hold a meeting with local authorities, civil society and the diplomatic corps in the hall of the Presidential Palace at 19:00, where he will deliver a speech.

On Tuesday, September 10^th, at 8:45 a.m., the Pope will visit the children with disabilities of the “Alma Sisters” School. At 09:30, he will meet with bishops and other members of the national Catholic Church at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. At 10:45, the Pope will meet with members of the Society of Jesus at the Apostolic Nunciature.

Also on September 10^th, the peak of the visit will be the celebration of Holy Mass on the grounds of Taci Tolu, which will begin at 4:30 p.m. and during which Pope Francis will give the homily.

On Wednesday, September 11^th, Pope Francis will meet with young people at the Dili Convention Center at 09:30, where he will give a speech. At 10:45, there will be a farewell ceremony at Presidente Nicolau Lobato International Airport, followed by departure for Singapore at 11:15.

Other stages of the Apostolic Journey to Asia include Indonesia, where Pope Francis will arrive in Jakarta on September 3^rd and leave on September 6^th, 2024. The Holy Father will then arrive in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on September 6^th and leave for Timor-Leste on September 9^th, 2024. Finally, after his visit to Timor-Leste, Pope Francis will arrive in Singapore on September 11^th and leave for Rome on September 13^th, 2024.

After the official announcement of the papal visit, the Government Representative, Deputy General Coordinator of the High Institutional Level for the Papal Visit and acting General Coordinator, Minister Tomás do Rosário Cabral, said that it was “with great expectation and enthusiasm that we await the arrival of Pope Francis” and wished “that this Apostolic Visit will be a moment of blessing and spiritual renewal for all Timorese, inspiring each of us to continue building a society based on the values of peace, solidarity and fraternity”.