Speaking at the Thanksgiving Mass for his inauguration as the country's first cardinal on Tuesday, Cardinal Silva announced that Pope Francis had spoken to him of his intention to visit Timor-Leste during a private audience with him.

“I met with Pope Francis on the last day [at the Vatican] and informed him that the Timorese people are looking forward to his visit to Timor-Leste.  Although it was difficult for him to stand up, from a wheelchair, the Holy Father said in a loud voice, 'I am going to visit Timor-Leste,'” said Cardinal da Silva.

The mass was held in Tasi Tolu, a historic landmark where Pope John Paul II celebrated mass during his visit in 1989.

The cardinal said that "today the people of Timor-Leste are also waiting for the visit of Pope Francis who can give them hope to face any challenges."

He also called for peace amongst Timorese, singling out a need to stop martial art gang activity.

The cardinal recalled that when Pope John Paul II visited the country, its people were still struggling for independence from Indonesia.

Pope Francis had to cancel a scheduled visit to Timor-Leste, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea in September 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many attending the mass expressed great pride having a Timorese cardinal.

“The appointment of our new cardinal is one for us all to be proud of. We all expect him to help develop the church in Timor-Leste ,” Domingos Araujo, a youth in the crowd told the Independente.