TASITOLU, East Timor. Nearly half of East Timor’s population gathered in a seaside park on Tuesday to attend Pope Francis’ final Mass in the country, marking a significant event for the Catholic-majority nation. The crowd of around 600,000 people, which local authorities estimated, represented an unprecedented proportion of the population attending a papal event.
While Pope Francis’ visits to other countries have attracted millions, such as in the Philippines, Brazil, and Poland, this gathering stood out due to the country’s small size and the deep Catholic faith of its people. East Timor, or Timor-Leste, has remained strongly Catholic since the Portuguese arrived in the 1500s, and about 97% of its population practices the faith.
Pope Francis’ visit to East Timor, which gained independence in 2002, was the first since St. John Paul II’s historic visit in 1989. That visit took place during the country’s struggle to separate from Indonesia, making the current event even more significant for the people.
The papal visit also underscored the challenges of accurately estimating such large crowds. Vatican estimates often rely on local organizers, who may have a vested interest in reporting higher numbers to emphasize the Pope’s popularity. However, the large turnout in East Timor remains notable, not just for its scale, but for the passionate display of faith.
In contrast, one of the largest papal events in recent memory took place in Manila, Philippines, in 2015, when Pope Francis celebrated a Mass for an estimated 6 million people at Rizal Park. The Vatican received the crowd estimate from local authorities, confirming that it surpassed the record of 5 million people who attended a Mass by St. John Paul II in 1995.
Similarly, in 2013, Pope Francis drew 3.7 million people to Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach for World Youth Day. However, that figure was disputed by local data experts, with some estimating the actual number to be closer to 1.5 million.
Despite these contrasting numbers, the faith and devotion displayed by the people of East Timor were undeniable. The event highlighted the global appeal of Pope Francis and the enduring significance of the Catholic Church in diverse regions.
Pope Francis’ Historic Visit to Singapore
Pope Francis is set to arrive in Singapore on Wednesday, marking a momentous occasion as he becomes only the second pope to visit the wealthy city-state. His three-day stay is the final leg of an 11-day tour across four nations, making this his longest journey since assuming leadership of the Catholic Church in 2013.
Singapore, known for its global influence as a financial powerhouse and strategic hub, has long awaited the visit of the 87-year-old pontiff. Cardinal William Goh of Singapore emphasized the significance of this visit, stating that it comes at a crucial time when Pope Francis’ messages of human dignity, interfaith dialogue, and environmental stewardship resonate strongly with the island nation’s multicultural society.
“After the apostolic visit is done, I pray that Singapore will be filled with hope — a profound, divine hope,” Cardinal Goh said in a statement.
The pope’s visit to Singapore was originally planned for 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Singapore’s population of nearly 6 million is predominantly Chinese, with Buddhism as the largest religion. However, Catholics make up about 19% of the population, and the church plays an influential role in the country’s education and healthcare sectors.
During his visit, Pope Francis is expected to deliver a public Mass at Singapore’s National Stadium, where 55,000 people are anticipated to gather, including Catholics from neighboring countries like Malaysia and Brunei. As part of his itinerary, the pope will also meet Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, as well as leaders from civil society and the diplomatic corps.
In addition to his public engagements, Pope Francis will hold private meetings with members of the Jesuit community and visit St. Theresa’s Home to meet elderly residents. He will also participate in an interreligious dialogue with youth at the Catholic Junior College, a reflection of Singapore’s diverse cultural and religious landscape.
As Singapore celebrates the pope’s arrival, the visit marks a rare opportunity for the local Catholic community to connect with the global Church. It is also a reminder of the island nation’s ability to foster peaceful coexistence in a modern, multi-ethnic society, a theme Pope Francis has championed throughout his papacy.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
