Local authorities in East Timor
estimate that some 600,000 pilgrims attended the mass celebrated
by Pope Francis in Taci Tolu, a protected area on the coast near
the capital Dili, the Holy See said on Tuesday.
After the mass, the pontiff bid farewell to the pilgrims by
driving through the area, where Pope John Paul II also
celebrated mass in 1989, on his popemobile.
During his homily, Pope Francis said the country "is beautiful
because there are many children.
"You are a young country where you can feel life beating,
exploding in every corner.
"And this is a great gift: the presence of so many youths and
many children, in fact, constantly renews the freshness, energy,
joy and enthusiasm of your people", the pontiff noted.
The pope's visit to East Timor is part of a 12-day, four-country
tour across Southeast Asia and Oceania - the longest trip of his
pontificate.
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