Activists criticise high cost of Pope Francis’ visit to East Timor

Pope Francis gestures after giving an address during a meeting with young people in the Sir John Guise Stadium in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

East Timor pulled out all stops for Pope Francis’ historic visit to one of the world’s youngest and poorest countries to the tune of 12 million dollars (£9.1 million), drawing rebuke from activists and human rights organisations.

The cost of the two-day visit, which started on Monday, was approved by the government through the Council of Ministers in February, including one million dollars (£762,000) to build an altar for a papal mass.