Pope Francis on Sept. 9 called for action on abuse of young people after arriving in Timor-Leste, the Catholic-majority nation that has been shocked by several child sexual assault cases involving clergy members in recent years.
The 87-year-old pope is set to host a huge mass on Sept. 10 expected to draw more than half the country's population, but in a speech to a smaller crowd of officials the night before, he tackled the most sensitive issue of his trip head-on.
"Let us not forget the many children and adolescents whose dignity has been violated. The phenomenon is manifesting all over the world," he said in a speech in the capital Dili.
"We are all called to do everything possible to prevent every kind of abuse and guarantee a healthy and peaceful childhood for all young people," the pope added.
He did not mention a specific case or acknowledge any Vatican responsibility.
He also spoke against other abuses that he said can be considered “real social plagues.” The Catholic leaders specifically mentioned alcohol abuse among young people.
The pope also asked to end the misuse of marital arts, which became popular in the country after Indonesia introduced it during the occupation.
Instead of using it in the service of the defenseless, some are using its power of violence, the pope said, adding: “Violence is always a threat to the people.”
The Timor-Leste government banned martial arts clubs in 2023 following a period of deadly violence, but the ban was lifted in May 2024.
Advocacy groups had called for Francis to speak out on the issue in Asia's youngest country and he has previously met victims on trips to Ireland and Portugal, but his official schedule this time includes no such events.
Recent cases in East Timor include Nobel-winning Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo, who the Vatican secretly punished over allegations he sexually abused young children for decades.
The Vatican went public in 2022 about the restrictions put on Belo after it was revealed his movements and interactions were limited following claims he abused young boys in East Timor until he retired and moved abroad two decades earlier.
In another case in the country, defrocked American priest Richard Daschbach was found guilty in 2021 of abusing orphaned, disadvantaged girls and sentenced to 12 years in prison.
Before his speech on Sept. 9, Francis was met by a rock star welcome in Dili. Thousands of Catholics lined the streets, screaming and waving flags as he was driven by in an open-top car flanked by security.
Catholics from some 98 percent of the country's 1.3 million people.
'Peace and freedom'
East Timor has a complex history marked by centuries-long Portuguese rule, decades of occupation by neighboring Indonesia, and a United Nations-backed referendum that allowed it to break free.
The pope's comments on abuse came after he was welcomed on arrival by the man who shared the Nobel with Belo, President Jose Ramos-Horta, a liberation icon for his work towards achieving East Timor's independence.
In his evening address, the leader of the world's 1.3 billion Catholics also hailed the country's new era of "peace and freedom" two decades after it achieved independence from neighboring Indonesia.
East Timor emerged from the brutal occupation that left more than 200,000 Timorese dead, and Francis is the first pope to visit the country since then.
Locals said they wanted the pope to convey a message of harmony, as he did in Indonesia last week.
"I hope that Papa Francisco will bring a message of peace through this visit," said Francisco Amaral da Silva, a 58-year-old lecturer.
Celebrations begin
The city had a $12 million makeover before the visit, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao helped sweep the streets with locals as the government rolled out the red carpet.
Authorities have also relocated street vendors in areas where Francis will travel, prompting criticism on social media.
Rights groups say some makeshift homes were demolished in preparation for the mass, while the government says they were erected illegally.
Francis' schedule includes meetings with Jesuits, children and the Catholic faithful.
But the trip's highlight will be the colossal mass on Tuesday, expected to draw 700,000 worshippers.
Some locals saw his visit as an opportunity to sell pope merchandise.
Teacher Silverio Tilman, 58, set up a stall selling pope T-shirts, raking in more than $600 in two days -- double the average monthly salary.
"We prepare these items in case the pilgrims need them to attend the holy mass. We are not seeking big profits," he said.