In August 2022, Timor-Leste celebrated the elevation of the Archbishop of Dili, Dom Virgilio da Silva SDB, to the College of Cardinals. After the Consistory of 27 August 2022, in which Pope Francis is St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome elevated him to the dignity of Cardinal, he returned home. Here in Dili, a large crowd awaited him and welcomed him with great affection.

The country had not witnessed such scenes since the visit of then Pope John Paul II during the dark days before the reclaiming of independence. The vast crowds delayed his triumphal return from the airport to his Cathedral where he was welcomed by Timor-Leste President, H.E. Jose Ramos-Horta, the charge d’affaires at the Papal Nunciature, Monsignor Marco Sprizzi, and leaders from all levels of government.

It was an historic day marking the nation’s first Red Hat. Representatives from the Sovereign Order of Malta’s diplomatic mission to Timor-Leste, Terence Tobin KC, and his wife Bernadette Tobin AO, and Mr Dalton Fogarty from the Australian Association, were invited to attend the celebratory Mass held before a vast congregation on the 5 September at Tasi-Tolu, the site of the famous address by St John Paul II, giving heart to a people under Indonesian occupation.