Words of Appreciation
Joint Commission
Archdiocese of Dili, Apostolic Nunciature, 9th Constitutional Government
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April 26th, 2025
Press Release
Words of Appreciation
On this occasion, and on behalf of the Joint Commission composed of the Archdiocese of Dili, the Apostolic Nunciature, and the 9th Constitutional Government, led by Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, we express our gratitude for the Funeral Mass and Last Tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis, held at the Holy Altar of Tasitolu, today, April 26th, 2025.
Last Monday, at 7:35 a.m. Rome time, and 2:35 a.m. Timor-Leste time, we were saddened to learn that we had lost our Holy Father, Pope Francis. Shortly afterwards, the Church (Archdiocese of Dili) contacted the Government to coordinate the tribute ceremony and prepare the funeral Mass for His Holiness Pope Francis. On the same day, at 7:00 p.m., the Archdiocese of Dili, represented by Dom Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, Metropolitan Cardinal of Dili, held a press conference to inform Timorese Christians of the death of Pope Francis.
After that, the joint team composed of the Church, led by Fr. Jovito Rego de Jesus Araújo, Episcopal Vicar for Pastoral Care, and the Government, led by His Excellency Tomás do Rosário Cabral, Minister of State Administration, began preparations at the Cardinal's Residence in Lecidere, Dili, according to a communication from Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, Pro-President of the Episcopal Conference of Timor-Leste (CET), that he had made in the Vatican. The instructions were to prepare a place where the sovereign authorities, former sovereign authorities, members of the diplomatic corps and Catholics could pay their last respects to His Holiness Pope Francis, as well as a place for Catholics to pray and celebrate the Eucharist for the passing of the Holy Father Francis. The choice fell on the Marian Shrine in Lecidere, Dili, Timor-Leste.
Therefore, Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva and the joint team, together with the Apostolic Nunciature, decided that the sovereign bodies and members of the diplomatic corps would be given space to pay their respects on April 22nd and 23rd, 2025 (from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). They also decided to have an Eucharistic celebration and continuous prayer at the Marian Shrine in Lecidere, open to Catholics in Dili to pray for His Holiness, the late Pope Francis.
Prayer and Mass began on Monday and continued until this morning, Friday. Afterwards, the flowers, images, the Popemobile, and candles were carried out in procession from Lecidere to the Apostolic Nunciature. From there, they proceeded to the Presidential Palace in Fatuhada, then to Comoro, continuing to the Holy Altar of Tasitolu, before Mass was celebrated this afternoon.
This solemn and sacred moment brings us together as a people of one faith to honour our spiritual father who dedicated his entire life to serving the poor, promoting peace and building bridges between different cultures and religions.
Our commitment, prayer and collaboration during this time is a profound and essential expression of the unity and reverence of the Timorese people for Pope Francis, making this tribute to His Holiness a meaningful and dignified event, and also showing our gratitude and love for him, who, when came to Timor-Leste, left us a beautiful message, saying that he had fallen in love with our country and with all of us Timorese.
Therefore, taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Joint Commission, we would like to express our deep gratitude to all those who have supported us since Monday, April 21st, until today, when we celebrate the funeral Mass and pay tribute to His Holiness Pope Francis. We would like to especially thank the Ministry of State Administration, the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Public Works, the Ministry of Planning and Strategic Investment, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Social Solidarity and Inclusion, the Diocesan Curia and parish priests, pastoral agencies, ecclesial groups, and all Christians, telecommunications agencies, national and international media, and all volunteers.
We express our sincere gratitude to everyone for their cooperation and support in ensuring the success and solemnity of this meaningful event in honour of His Holiness the late Pope Francis.
Let us take with us into the future His Holiness Pope Francis's spiritual legacy, his messages, and his beautiful testimonies, so that they may nourish us and strengthen us to continue caring for and serving our Church and the people of Timor-Leste.
Pope Francis, who left us and went to join God on his throne in Heaven, continues to inspire us to live as citizens and as God's people walking in Timor-Leste, to be witnesses to the whole world. END
