Pope Francis Draws Historic Crowd in East Timor

Nearly half the nation's population gathered for the Mass, reflecting the country's enduring Catholic devotion and historical ties to the Church.

Around 600,000 people, nearly half of East Timor's population, attended Pope Francis' final Mass in Dili.
The Mass was held at the historically significant Tasitolu park, where John Paul II prayed in 1989.
Attendees arrived hours early and braved high temperatures to participate in the event.
East Timor's deep Catholic faith dates back to Portuguese explorers in the early 1500s.
Pope Francis followed in the footsteps of John Paul II, who supported East Timor's independence.