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The first papal visit to Timor-Leste since independence was marked by excitement and high hopes in this predominantly Catholic nation. The Government spent millions of dollars in preparation and organised an elaborate reception, while the streets of Dili were lined with tens of thousands of spectators hoping to catch a glimpse of the pontiff. An estimated 600,000 people attended the Pope’s mass in Tasi Tolu, the largest gathering to occur in the history of the State. In his speeches to government and church officials, the Pope provided several important recommendations about serving the people and building the nation. However, despite these positive aspects, several incidents which occurred during the Pope’s visit raise questions about the overall value of such a high-cost event for the Timorese people. Fundasaun Mahein (FM) has written the following analysis to draw attention to these issues.
From FM’s perspective, the visit was mostly well-organized, with Timorese and Vatican security teams collaborating effectively to guarantee the safety of the Pope and the public. The performance of PNTL and F-FDTL during the visit was exemplary and the Timorese public behaved with discipline and respect.
However, late in the visit, a serious violation of security protocol occurred which undermined the good work done by the security organisations. The Prime Minister attempted to escort the Pope, who was sitting in his wheelchair. This action broke with the previously agreed security protocol, which had reserved this role exclusively for the President of the Republic. Papal security intervened, insisting that the Prime Minister step back, leading to a dispute between the security teams. The incident was caught on video and shared widely on social media.
This breach of security protocol followed a similar incident which occurred during the recent visit of the President of India to Timor-Leste. On that occasion, an Indian security official asked the Prime Minister to step back after he touched the visiting President, again violating established protocol. As with the most recent incident, this event was caught on video and shared by hundreds of people.
In addition to these incidents involving inappropriate actions towards high level officials, several videos have emerged recently showing the Prime Minister behaving inappropriately towards women. These include a widely circulated clip of him kissing a foreign guest on the mouth and another of him touching a female journalist inappropriately.
Some may argue that the incidents involving the Pope and Indian President were relatively minor, or that the Prime Minister’s controversial behaviour simply reveals his playful and eccentric nature. However, FM believes that the PM’s actions reveal a worrying pattern of behaviour that extends far beyond minor breaches of security protocols or playfulness. Rather, they illustrate a flagrant disregard for personal boundaries and a lack of professionalism, including a disdain for formal rules and procedures. These actions project an unprofessional image of Timorese leadership, damaging the country’s international reputation.
Moreover, when committed by a high-level state official, particularly one as respected as the PM, these actions send a message to the public that such behaviour – particularly towards women – is acceptable. This is particularly dangerous in Timor-Leste’s context, where sexual harassment and abuse are widespread, and women and girls are at constant risk of assault. In FM’s view, leaders are directly responsible for combating such behaviour both in their own lives and at the societal level. We are therefore deeply concerned when respected elders themselves behave in such unacceptable ways.
FM has long argued that a critical aspect of Timor-Leste’s modernisation is the need to strengthen adherence to formal rules and procedures at all levels of the state and society. Government officials, particularly those in top positions, must set an example by respecting protocols and not treating them as optional or flexible. The continued failure of elected officials to adhere strictly to rules and procedures undermines the Rule of Law in Timor-Leste by perpetuating the culture of informality and “flexibility” which ensures the continuation of the Rule of the Deal. In FM’s view, corruption and nepotism go hand-in-hand with informality and flexibility, while formal rules and robust procedures ensure more equal access to services and opportunities. Thus, if Timor-Leste’s leaders really wish to combat corruption and guarantee a chance at a good life for all Timorese, they must work to combat informality and strengthen formal rules and procedures across all institutions.
Beyond FM’s concerns about violations of security protocols and their implications for the rule of law and Timor-Leste’s international image, Pope Francis delivered powerful speeches during his visit that echoed many of FM’s longstanding concerns. In particular, he highlighted the need to invest in youth, particularly through education, to prevent them from being drawn into violent activities such as martial arts gangs. The Pope commended Timorese leaders for their commitment to reconciliation with Indonesia and maintaining religious harmony. He also called for concrete actions to combat poverty and better manage the nation’s natural resources for sustainable development.
Pope Francis also addressed sensitive issues within the Church itself. He acknowledged the need to tackle sexual abuse committed by Church officials and stressed the importance of respecting the dignity of all people, regardless of ability or orientation. He also reminded Church leaders that they are servants of the people and warned them against the temptation of exploiting their positions for personal gain. This message, in particular, echoes arguments made regularly by FM regarding the flagrant abuses of power committed by those who occupy powerful positions in this country. FM strongly endorses the Pope’s recommendations, particularly those regarding investment in education and youth development, as well as his warning about the temptations which come with powerful offices.
Despite these important messages, FM questions the high costs associated with the visit and its overall benefits for the Timorese public. The Government’s spending ran into millions of dollars, but many citizens who had hoped to see the Pope in person were left disappointed due to the tight security that limited public interaction. Many voiced complaints about the Pope’s vehicle speeding through Dili, making it difficult for people to catch a glimpse of the visiting pontiff. Critics on social media accused the Government or organising an “elites-only” event which excluded the masses, preventing them from interacting with their spiritual leader.
Now that the event is over, FM wonders about the answer to several questions, such as: what are the long-term benefits of such a whirlwind visit? Are the financial and social costs of the visit justified by its spiritual and emotional benefits? Will Dili continue to be more organised and cleaner than before, as it was in the days leading up to the Pope’s visit? Will infrastructure continue to improve at the same pace as during the last few months? Will officials take the Pope’s recommendations and apply them to their lives and actions?
In conclusion, Pope Francis’s visit undoubtedly brought joy and hope to many, while providing a platform to discuss important issues facing Timor-Leste. However, FM remains concerned that without concrete follow-up actions, the high costs of the visit and the accompanying incidents involving senior officials could outweigh the positive impact of the Pope’s visit and messages. FM is particularly concerned that the PM’s actions reveal a disrespect for rules and boundaries, while perpetuating negative attitudes and behaviours across the whole of Timorese society.
As Timor-Leste looks to the future, it must balance the symbolism of such high-profile events with a genuine commitment to tackling the structural issues facing the nation. At the same time, government officials must commit to upholding dignity, professionalism and the rule of law by refraining from inappropriate behaviour and strictly adhering to rules and procedures. By adopting the Pope’s recommendations, Timor-Leste’s leaders can finally fulfil the promise of independence, guaranteeing equal opportunities and the chance of a secure, prosperous life for all Timorese.
