DILI, East Timor — East Timor made significant investments totaling $12 million for Pope Francis’ historic visit to the country, drawing criticism from activists and human rights organizations in a nation where almost half of the population lives in poverty.
The government approved the cost for the two-day visit, including $1 million to construct an altar for a papal Mass. The capital city, Dili, was adorned with fresh paint, banners, and billboards to welcome the pontiff, who had previously visited Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
Despite a significant portion of the population living below the poverty line, the government allocated a large sum for the papal visit, which some activists viewed as excessive. The country’s budget for 2023 was $3.16 billion, with only a fraction allocated for increasing food production.
Challenges such as high inflation and weather changes leading to reduced food production have left a sizable portion of the population facing acute food insecurity. The Minister of State Administration acknowledged that the $12 million expenditure was excessive but emphasized that it includes infrastructure development like road construction and renovation of public facilities.
The papal Mass is expected to draw over 300,000 faithful, with preparations including the relocation of families and destruction of vendor stands causing discontent among rights groups. President Jose Ramos-Horta highlighted the visit as an opportunity to showcase the nation internationally.
The government’s handling of evictions and crackdowns on street vendors ahead of the visit sparked criticism, with journalists facing threats for reporting on the incidents. Ramos-Horta emphasized the importance of respecting press freedom and instructed authorities to address the situation with vendors peacefully.
The papal visit serves as a crucial moment for East Timor to garner global attention and promote itself as a tourist destination, underscoring the nation’s Catholic identity and turbulence on the path to independence.
