Pope plans to meet “all those who make up the structure of society and the people” during visit to East Timor

Marco Sprizzi, Vatican ambassador to Timor-Leste said, this Friday, that Pope Francis will meet with “all those who make up the structure of society and the people”, during his visit to the country.

Speaking to journalists, after the official announcement of the visit of the leader of the Catholic Church to Timor-Leste on the 9th, 10th and 11th of September, the ambassador said that: “The activities we are preparing are meetings with civil society, politicians , state authorities, businesspeople, journalists and judges, police, everyone who makes up the structure of society and the people, in the great premise that will be in Tasi Tolu”.

“The great preparation that the Church and the State are doing”, continued Marco Sprizzi, “is to make it easier for the simple people of the mountains, villages, municipalities, and villages further away to come to Dili to participate and see up close and receive the Pope’s blessing up close”.

“This is what the Pope wants and recommends and knows it will be done” he maintained.

Marco Sprizzi said that the supreme pontiff decided to visit Timor-Leste due to the “great love he has” for the country and “for the Timorese, their history, with the courage and faith of the Timorese people”.

“This is a state visit, but mainly a pastoral one, and the detailed program will be released after the second visit by the Vatican advance team”, which should take place in June, added the ambassador.

Pope Francis’ visit takes place as part of a tour he will make in the region and also includes Indonesia, which he visits between September 3rd and 6th, Papua New Guinea, from 6th to 9th, and Singapore, from 11th to 13th September. .