Pope Francis received the President of Timor-Leste in audience this Monday. During discussions at the Secretariat of State, the focus was on the country's economic and social problems, as well as the effects of climate change, according to a subsequent press release.
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The confidential conversation between the Pope and the President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, José Manuel Ramos-Horta, lasted around 35 minutes, from 10:15 am to 10:50 am. The head of the Southeast Asian island state then met with the Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, and the Vatican's Foreign Affairs representative, Paul R. Gallagher (“Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations”).
The President of Timor-Leste Ramos-Horta during talks at the Secretariat of State
As the statement later distributed by the Vatican says, the “warm discussions at the Secretariat of State” emphasized the “good relations that exist between the Holy See and Timor-Leste, as well as the contribution that the Catholic Church makes to the State in daily life” – with special focus on “good relations with authorities”. He continued to discuss “some aspects of the country’s economic and social situation” as well as the “problems that climate change is causing in the region”. There was also an exchange of views on the “international and regional situation with regard to Southeast Asian countries”. The island state of East Timor lies between Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and Australia.
Exchanging gifts with Pope Francis
As usual, gifts were also exchanged during the state visit. Nobel Peace Prize winner Ramos-Horta (he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 together with Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo for his efforts to find a peaceful solution to the East Timor conflict) had with him a typical cloth upon which a local artist had painted the image of the Pope. There was also a rosary made of sandalwood beads and a package of Luwak coffee (considered one of the best in the world), along with a document of fraternity signed by the Parliament of Timor-Leste.
The Pope presented the President with a bronze sculpture of the Brotherhood; in addition to the usual barrage of papal documents, this year's message of peace and a book about the papal apartment.
(Vatican news – cs)