East Timor faithful, ex-rebels see hope after Pope Francis

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DILI - Brandishing his government-gifted medals near a statue of the Virgin Mary in East Timor's capital, ex-rebel Crisanto de Jesus Alves da Costa says Pope Francis's message of hope on a rare visit last year offered a bright path for Asia's youngest nation.

The Argentine pontiff, who died on Monday, was the first to visit the Catholic-majority country after it won independence from Indonesia in 2002 after years of bloody conflict.

Francis had touted reconciliation and equality in East Timor, as part of a gruelling four-nation tour in the region last year.

"He led the world to the East Timorese. He spoke up for poor people and all types of people. He didn't see differences between them," the 56-year-old veteran told AFP in Dili.

"The new pope, I want the same."

As a 10-year-old, da Costa says he would climb trees and hilltops to identify enemy positions, giving guerrillas key information in the asymmetric battle against the occupying Indonesian military.

Now, as conflicts rage in Gaza and Ukraine, he wants the next pope to follow Francis's lead and offer a stance of non-violence.

"We need good cooperation and reconciliation," he told AFP.

"That's a good message because the pope knows that the world's people need unity, need amity with other countries."

With a seven-day mourning period underway in the former Portuguese colony, other Timorese recalled the influence of Francis on their nation.

At Dili's biggest Catholic seminary, which is preparing 250 male students to be ordained, rector Miguel Arcanjo da Costa said Francis made the Timorese believe in their progress as a country.

Pope John Paul II visited East Timor in 1989 when it was under Indonesian occupation, giving them a boost in their battle for independence, but Francis spoke to a free East Timor about its modern challenges.

"The second visit for the Holy See, Pope Francis, gives us motivation to cultivate our identity, our culture, our struggle in the independence era," the rector said.

"He is a diamond for us. We hope that the next pope is like him."

A Catholic believer mourns Pope Francis with candles in Dili, East Timor. (AFP)

'Open-minded'

Many Timorese have laid flowers, held prayers, and lit candles in honour of Francis since his death, with flags flying at half-mast in the coastal city and his visit still fresh in locals' memories.

Authorities said nearly half of the country's 1.3 million people turned out to see Francis speak on the outskirts of Dili in September.

A huge mass is planned at the same location on Saturday, which will coincide with the pope's funeral at the Vatican.

Some have begun to look ahead to Francis's successor.

"I pray and I invite all people to pray that the Holy Spirit will choose the right man or right person for the Church in this global era," said Sister Guilhermina Marcal, 66, at a Dili convent.

"It is in need of people who are open-minded to embrace everyone."

She said Francis had led the way, and she was particularly happy with how he promoted women to senior Vatican positions.

In February, Francis appointed Italian nun Sister Raffaella Petrini as president of the Vatican City State.

"He embraced everyone without any distinction. No religion, no race, no position," Marcal told AFP.

The nun added that she would be proud if the next pope -- chosen in a secret and lengthy process by cardinals -- were Asian.

"Let us see. We have to be open to accepting whoever will be chosen to be pope," she said.

"But God will let it be done."