Speaking to an enormous congregation estimated at 600,000—nearly half the population of the little country—the Pope cited the words of the prophet Isaiah, saying that Israel would be redeemed not by force of arms but “through the gift of a son.” The birth of a child is always an occasion for joy, he said.

At the conclusion of the Mass—at which he presided, but was not the principal celebrant of the Eucharistic liturgy—the Pontiff returned to the pro-natal theme, warning in extemporaneous remarks that the people of East Timor should beware of foreign influences that “want to change your culture, want to change your history.”

“I hope you continue to have many children,” the Pope concluded.

The Austrian cardinal said that it is “absurd” to think that Europe is no longer Christian because of Muslim immigration. “If Catholics have left the Church, we should not be surprised that they are in the minority,” he said.

Rather than engaging in conflict with Islam, Cardinal Schönborn said, Christians should “trust in the work of grace” and cooperate with Muslims. “Both our religions have an absolute appeal,” he said.

Questioned about the restrictions on the traditional Latin Mass imposed by Traditionis Custodes, the cardinal said: “Let us accept that Francis has his reasons for closing the doors again, at least partially, just as we have accepted that Benedict XVI had his reasons for opening them. Let us trust that the Lord is leading the Church.”

The Pope said that if East Timor is often regarded as being on the periphery of the world’s population, that is a reason to think of the country as central to the work of the Church. “We know that in the heart of Christ the ‘existential peripheries’ are the center,“ he explained.

DILI, Timor-Leste (CNS) -- The faith that sustained the hope of the people of Timor-Leste in their struggle for independence should be a resource now as the country tries to cope with social, economic and environmental problems, Pope Francis said.

Landing in Dili Sept. 9, the pope was welcomed at the airport by both President José Ramos-Horta and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmão, as well as two children who offered him flowers, customary for when he arrives in a country, but also a "tais" -- a traditional scarf.

Tens of thousands of people, young and old, lined the streets from the airport into the city to see Pope Francis as he rode by in an open popemobile. Many people took shelter from the sun under yellow and white umbrellas featuring the logo of the trip as well as the flags of Timor-Leste and the Vatican.

After an hour's rest at the new, "green" Vatican nunciature, where he was staying, Pope Francis went to the presidential palace, where he received more flowers, another tais and hugs from the three girls chosen to give him the gifts.

Of the four nations the pope was visiting Sept. 2-13, Timor-Leste was the only one with a Catholic majority. According to Vatican statistics, close to 96% of the population is Catholic.

After Timor-Leste was granted independence from Portugal in 1975, Indonesian troops invaded; after more than 25 years of struggle and the deaths of as many as 100,000 people, Timor-Leste became an independent, democratic nation in 2002.

"You remained firm in hope even amid affliction and, thanks to the character of your people and your faith, you have turned sorrow into joy," Pope Francis told government officials and leaders of civil society.

While the "dark clouds" of war have cleared, he said, the nation has "new challenges to face and new problems to solve. That is why I want to say: May the faith, which has enlightened and sustained you in the past, continue to inspire your present and future," particularly with "principles, projects and choices in conformity with the Gospel."

Poverty, underemployment, crime and emigration all are signs of the need for change and a commitment to working together for the common good, the pope said.

The president told Pope Francis that the government is working to fight "multi-dimensional poverty, hunger and food insecurity, maternal-childhood malnutrition, violence of any kind, different forms of exclusion and social marginalization."

"Infants, children and youth have a right to a better world, where they can develop their potential in a peaceful, dignified and balanced family environment," Ramos-Horta said.

Timor-Leste also is struggling with what the pope called "social scourges, such as the excessive use of alcohol and the formation of gangs by young people. These gang members are trained in martial arts, but instead of using this knowledge in the service of the defenseless, they use it as an opportunity to showcase the fleeting and harmful power of violence."

The prime minister extended a ban on martial arts instruction in the country during the visit of Pope Francis as part of security measures for the pope; different martial arts groups have been known to engage in street fighting.

Pope Francis also spoke of children and adolescents whose dignity has been "violated," and said, "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."

It was unclear whether Pope Francis' general comment also was meant to refer to the case of former Bishop Carlos Filipe Ximenes Belo of Dili, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1996 with Ramos-Horta for nonviolent resistance to Indonesia's occupation of his homeland, but who has been accused of sexually abusing boys.

Matteo Bruni, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed Aug. 30 that the restrictions imposed on Bishop Belo in 2020 after a Vatican investigation continue to be in force, including a prohibition from him returning to Timor-Leste. He is living in Portugal.

With some 65% of Timor-Leste's population being under the age of 30, Pope Francis insisted it is essential for the nation to invest in education and supporting families.

The pope promised that, as it has done for centuries, the Catholic Church will contribute to that process through its schools and its efforts to educate Catholics in morality and in the social teaching of the church.

"Looking at your recent past and what has been accomplished so far, there is reason to be confident that your nation will likewise be able to face intelligently and creatively the difficulties and problems of today," the pope said. "Trust the wisdom of the people."

Pope Francis arrives in Timor-Leste

Pope Francis arrived in Timor-Leste Sept. 9.

Pope Francis arrived on September 9 in East Timor, the 3rd stop on his 12-day trip to Asia and Oceania.

VANIMO, Papua New Guinea (CNS) -- Pope Francis flew 600 miles to a remote outpost of Papua New Guinea to spend an afternoon with a group of missionaries -- many from Argentina -- and with their people.

Given a ride by the Royal Australian Air Force aboard a C-130 Hercules plane Sept. 8, the pope's first welcome was written offshore in the Pacific Ocean using bright orange floats: "Welcome, Pope Francis."

He brought with him about a ton of medicine, clothing, toys and other aid for the missionaries to distribute, the Vatican press office said. A pool reporter on his plane said he also had a large jar of lollipops -- he has regularly been distributing candy to children he meets at the Vatican and abroad.

But for the missionaries, the presence of the 87-year-old pope was enough of a gift.

Father Tomás Ravaioli, one of the Argentine Incarnate Word missionaries working nearby in Baro, said, "at his age, in his condition, this is an enormous sacrifice. But it shows that what he says, what he writes, he also demonstrates" through his closeness and service to people.

The visit, the priest said, should be a big encouragement to the local Catholics because it shows them that they really matter to the church.

The temperature hovered around 90 degrees Fahrenheit, and the humidity held steady at 80% during the pope's visit. An estimated 20,000 people -- including many who crossed over the nearby Indonesian border -- were gathered on a huge grass field in front of the modest Holy Cross Cathedral, singing, praying and dancing as they awaited the pope.

Vanimo is the capital of Papua New Guinea's Sandaun Province, which is one of the poorest in the nation. Situated on the northwestern coast, it is an area prone to earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic activity.

Bishop Francis Meli of Vanimo welcomed Pope Francis to the town, telling him, "Your visit is a symbol of peace in a world marred by conflicts and wars, violence, especially gender violence, inequality, sorcery-related violence, climate change, white-collar crime, law and order problems, etc."

"It is my prayer and hope that your visit, Holy Father, will bring renewed fervor to all Catholics and Christians in Vanimo, uniting them in faith and mission, especially in these most challenging times," the bishop said.

He also was greeted by Maria Joseph, a 12-year-old who has lived at the Catholic-run Lujan Home for Girls since she was abandoned at the age of 2.

"Holy Father," she said, "we are most grateful that you have come to visit us and given us the opportunity to tell you about our home. Your visit has brought us much joy and hope."

After flying over forests, mountains and the ocean on his way from Port Moresby to Vanimo, Pope Francis told the people, "One cannot help but be amazed by the colors, sounds and scents, as well as the grandiose spectacle of nature bursting forth with life, all evoking the image of Eden!"

"The Lord entrusts this richness to you as a sign and an instrument, so that you too may live united in harmony with him and with your brothers and sisters, respecting our common home and looking after one another," the pope told them.

"An even more beautiful sight," though, he said, is "that which grows in us when we love one another."

Being Christian, the pope told them, means working "to overcome divisions -- personal, family and tribal -- to drive out fear, superstition and magic from people's hearts, to put an end to destructive behaviors such as violence, infidelity, exploitation, alcohol and drug abuse, evils which imprison and take away the happiness of so many of our brothers and sisters, even in this country."

"Let us remember that love is stronger than all this and its beauty can heal the world, because it has its roots in God," Pope Francis said.

After the gathering in Vanimo, the pope drove about 10 miles further north to Holy Trinity Humanistic School in Baro for what the Vatican said would be a "private" visit with the missionaries.

But they had students and parishioners on hand to welcome the pope to their mission on the Pacific shore.

And he was treated to a short concert by the school orchestra, whose members were pleased to hear the plane carrying the pope also was bringing new instruments for them. The children began with the "Ode to Joy."