Pope Francis has arrived in East Timor, a tiny Southeast Asian nation with a deeply devout Catholic population. The country, which has a long history of Catholicism, is the second-most Catholic country in the world, with 97% of the population identifying as Catholic.

The Pope’s visit comes as the country marks the 25th anniversary of its vote for independence from Indonesia. East Timor’s Catholic Church played a significant role in the country’s fight for independence, and the Pope’s visit is seen as a way to strengthen ties between the Church and the country.

However, the visit also comes amid revelations of clerical sexual abuse in East Timor, including allegations against Nobel Peace Prize winner Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo. The Pope has faced criticism for his handling of abuse cases in the past, and it remains to be seen whether he will address the issue during his visit.

The Pope’s 12-day visit to Asia includes stops in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Singapore. His visit to East Timor is seen as a significant moment for the country and the region, and is expected to draw large crowds.

East Timor’s History and Catholicism

East Timor has a long history of Catholicism, dating back to the 17th century when it was a Portuguese trading post. The country’s Catholic Church played a significant role in its fight for independence from Indonesia, and many of its clergy were killed or forced into exile during the conflict.

Today, East Timor is one of the poorest countries in Asia, with high levels of poverty and unemployment. The country is heavily reliant on its oil and gas reserves, and is seeking to diversify its economy.

The Pope’s Visit and Clerical Abuse

The Pope’s visit comes amid revelations of clerical sexual abuse in East Timor, including allegations against Bishop Belo. The Pope has faced criticism for his handling of abuse cases in the past, and it remains to be seen whether he will address the issue during his visit.

Bishop Belo, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has been accused of sexually abusing boys decades ago. The Vatican has sanctioned him, but he has never been officially charged in East Timor.

The Pope’s visit is also expected to draw attention to the issue of clerical abuse in the region, and whether the Church is doing enough to address it.