On the final day of Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit to Timor-Leste, he met with the nation’s youth in a joyful and inspiring encounter. The excitement was high as young people from across the country gathered to hear the Pope’s message of love, unity, and responsibility. He urged them to turn away from hatred and embrace love, encouraging the youth to work for peace and reconciliation while preserving their culture and heritage. Pope Francis reminded them that they are at an important stage of life, where they must be good examples to children while also showing respect and learning from their elders, who carry the wisdom of the past.

For Evangelina Araujo Carlos, a 31-year-old member of the National Commission for Catholic Youth of Timor-Leste (CNJCTL) and active member of the MAG+S-TL community, the Pope’s visit was a deeply personal and spiritual experience. She expressed her gratitude for being part of such a monumental occasion, saying, “God is so good to give me the chance to take part in the moment of grace that is the Holy Father’s visit to Timor-Leste.” As part of the ECO (Equipa Conjunta, Portugues language) team responsible for organizing the youth’s encounter with the Pope, Evangelina found joy in working alongside her peers and witnessing the unity that grew throughout the preparation process.

One of the most moving moments for Evangelina was watching Pope Francis step off the plane at Nicolao Lobato Airport. She described it as a moment of “blessing and grace” for the entire nation. Standing with her family and fellow citizens, the anticipation and joy she felt were overwhelming. “Seeing him for just a moment brought such extraordinary happiness, even to the point of tears,” she recalled, calling it a spiritual highlight she would never forget.

However, the journey wasn’t without challenges. Evangelina admitted that there were difficult times, especially when her ideas were not accepted. Yet, through prayer and reflection, she found strength and learned the importance of patience and effective communication. “I needed patience to communicate well with everyone,” she noted, drawing inspiration from the dedication of the Church, government, and youth working together. Looking ahead, Evangelina hopes that Pope Francis’ visit will leave a lasting impact on the youth of Timor-Leste, encouraging them to live out his message of love and service. She believes his words, “No to hatred, yes to love and serving one another,” will inspire the younger generation to create a more peaceful and harmonious future for the country.

For Evangelina and many others, the Pope’s visit was a time of grace, renewal, and hope—a moment that will resonate for years to come, shaping the future of the nation’s faith and culture. [Author: Evangelina Carlos] [Editor: Lucrecia-ETR Volunteer]