On September 11, 2024, before departing for Singapore, Pope Francis addressed a crowd of over 10,000 young people at the Congress Centre in Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste.
During his farewell address, Pope Francis encouraged the youth to take charge of their country's future with independence and responsibility.
He emphasized that true freedom does not mean doing whatever one wants but rather respecting others and caring for their common home.
Expressing his joy at visiting this nation "where the ocean meets the sky" and where over 30 languages are spoken, Pope Francis said, "I did not want to leave here without meeting you, because you are the hope for the future."
With over 95% of the 1.4 million population being Catholic, the Pope praised their fervent faith and noted that the youth form a significant majority. He inspired them to continue practicing their faith with the same enthusiasm.
