(AseanAll)  — On April 25, 2025,the National Parliament of Timor-Leste held a solemn session to honor the memory of Pope Francisco, who passed away on April 21 at the age of 88. 

The session was presided over by National Parliament President Maria Fenanda Lay and attended by Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, along with government officials, public institution leaders, and members of the diplomatic corps. Jesuina Maria Fereira Gomes, Chief of Staff of the Presidency of the Republic, was also present at this significant gathering.

During the session, parliamentary representatives unanimously recognized Pope Francis as a world leader and Catholic figure who consistently championed social justice, human dignity, and global peace. The government highlighted the Pope’s influential documents on Human Fraternity and Laudato Si’, noting how these works envisioned a united world where people could live freely regardless of religious or political differences, while caring for the environment and respecting individual dignity.

Timorese Prime Minister Xanan Gusmão expressed profound condolences to the college of cardinals and the local Catholic church, emphasizing Pope Francis’s vision for humanity. The National Parliament unanimously approved a formal tribute acknowledging the Pope’s significant contributions to humanity and his special connection to Timor-Leste, which he visited in September 2024. During that historic visit, the Pope delivered powerful messages to Timorese youth, encouraging them to care for themselves, strengthen their faith, and foster brotherhood within society.

Pope Francisco’s passing marks the end of a papacy that significantly influenced global perspectives on social justice, environmental stewardship, and human fraternity—values that resonated deeply with the Timorese people and their leaders.