蜜桃交友

By Christopher Wells

After more than a quarter century of conflict as the country strove for independence, Timor-Leste 鈥渉as been able to rise again鈥�, Pope Francis said on Monday, 鈥渇inding a path to peace and the beginning of a new phase of development, of improved living conditions, and of appreciation on all levels of the unspoiled splendour of this land and its natural and human resources鈥�.

A new dawn of peace and freedom

Speaking with political leaders, representatives of civil society, and members of the diplomatic corps shortly after his arrival in Dili, Pope Francis gave thanks to God for the 鈥渄awn of peace and freedom鈥� that has finally dawned in Timor-Leste after a period of 鈥渄ark and difficult days鈥�.

The Pope emphasized that the Timorese people never lost hope during the 鈥渄ramatic鈥� period of the struggle for independence, and praised their 鈥渁ssiduous efforts to achieve full reconciliation with [their] brothers and sisters in Indonesia鈥�.

At the same time, he prayed that God might grant 鈥渢hat in other conflicts in various parts of the world, the desire for peace and purification might prevail鈥�.

New challenges

While noting the 鈥渘ew horizons鈥� that have opened up for the country, Pope Francis also acknowledged 鈥渘ew challenges to face and new problems to solve鈥�, including emigration; poverty, especially in rural areas; the abuse of alcohol; and the formation of gangs of young people.

鈥淭hat鈥�, he said, 鈥渋s why I want to say: May the faith, which has enlightened and sustained you in the past, continue to inspire your present and future鈥�.

And he encouraged them in Portuguese, saying, 鈥�Que a vossa fè seja a vossa cultura鈥� (鈥淢ay your faith be your culture鈥�, adding, 鈥渕ay it inspire principles, projects and choices in conformity with the Gospel鈥�.

The importance of education

Precisely in order to confront the difficulties facing the nation, Pope Francis insisted on the necessity of education, especially through the preparation of those who will be called to lead the country in the future.

He added that the Church鈥檚 social doctrine can provide a foundation for such formation, noting that 鈥渋t constitutes an indispensable and trustworthy pillar鈥� on which to base further advancement, and a means to determine whether different approaches favour or hinder integral development.

Reasons for hope

Finally, Pope Francis highlighted the youthful face of Timor-Leste, where more than 65 percent of the population is under the age of thirty鈥�. At the same time, he invited young people, with their freshness and resourcefulness, to benefit from the experience and wisdom of the elderly. 鈥淭ogether, this enthusiasm and wisdom are a great resource and do not allow for passivity, much less pessimism鈥�.

Praising Timor-Leste for the 鈥減atient determination and heroism鈥� with which the country has faced 鈥渢imes of great tribulation鈥�, Pope Francis concluded his address by noting that, in light of what has been accomplished in the recent past, 鈥渢here is reason to be confident that your nation will likewise be able to face, intelligently and creatively, the difficulties and problems of today鈥�.