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Papal visit is a 'logistical nightmare' for Timor-Leste

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UCA News - August 27, 2024

Timor-Leste President Jose Ramos Horta has termed the preparations for the upcoming visit of Pope Francis a "logistical nightmare" due to various challenges, but expressed hope everything will go as planned, says a report.

Despite the challenges, everything will go well for the 9-11 papal trip because "the Timorese work better under pressure," Horta was quoted as saying by Portuguese news agency Lusa on Aug. 26.

"In general, we Timorese work better under pressure, when there is no pressure, when there is a year or two to go, instead of starting to prepare, [the Timorese] wait," Horta said.

Horta pointed out the difficulties of guaranteeing basic conditions for an estimated 700,000 Timorese and other nationals who will be traveling to the national capital Dili to see the pope.

"The government has to be prepared, equipped, to provide water for the people," during the days of Francis' apostolic visit, Horta said adding that sanitation and food arrangements were also an issue.

Horta said that the government has "spared no effort and no money," considering that "the infrastructure is moving very well"

"The Holy See's own technical team is impressed with the Timorese mobilization," Horta added.

A Vatican delegation arrived in the national capital Dili on Aug. 24 to assess the preparations done for Francis' upcoming visit.

"I can confirm that East Timor is one of the countries best prepared to welcome the Holy Father," said Father Marco Sprizzi, Vatican's apostolic nuncio to Timor-Leste, Lusa reported on Aug. 25.

Sprizzi pointed out that "'small details," were missing, but "in general the work of the government and the church is very well done."

"The Pope is coming for the Timorese people, but we hope and are sure that the Timorese people will respond," Sprizzi emphasized.

Horta expressed confidence in the arrangements in place for the papal visit adding that the only concern was crowd control in big events like these.

"When there starts to be pushing, there can be trampling... if everyone wants to start getting closer to the pope," Horta said.

Sprizzi said they expected the Timorese people "to have the joy, enthusiasm, and energy to come to Tasi-Tolu to meet the Holy Father."

Tasi-Tolu (translated as 'three waters') is a protected area on the coast of Timor-Leste, located 5 miles from the west of Dili.

The Tasi-Tolu wetlands include three saline lakes, an esplanade, and a beach and have been designated a Wetland of National Significance by the Timor-Leste government.

Catholics from various municipalities are expected to arrive in Dili on Sept. 8 and 9, and those in Dili are encouraged to walk to Tasi-Tolu to avoid traffic congestion.

Francis will visit Timor-Leste as part of his four-nation trip to Asia and Oceania which will cover also Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Singapore, from Sept. 2-13.

A former Portuguese colony, Timor-Leste is a tiny Southeast Asian Catholic-majority nation of 1.3 million that gained independence from Indonesia in 2002 following decades of bloody struggle.

About 42 percent of people live below the poverty line and are highly food insecure, according to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) despite the country being rich in mineral resources like gas and oil.

Charity groups say illiteracy, employment and lack of basic healthcare are major challenges for the nation.

The government has faced criticism from activists for allocating US$12 million for the papal visit budget including US$1 million to build an altar for a papal Mass.

Source: https://www.ucanews.com/news/papal-visit-is-a-logistical-nightmare-for-timor-leste/10617

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