During his second day in East Timor, Pope Francis began his morning with a touching visit to the Irmãs Alma School in Dili.
The Holy Father, accompanied by Cardinal Virgílio do Carmo da Silva, received a warm and enthusiastic welcome from around 50 children and the dedicated religious sisters of ALMA.
The school, which has been a beacon of hope since 2004, is known for its compassionate care of the needy, including children with disabilities and those abandoned by their families.
A Message of Love and Gratitude
Inside the school’s St. Vincent de Paul Hall, Pope Francis expressed his deep appreciation for the love and care provided by the ALMA sisters and the children themselves.
He emphasized that understanding Jesus’s love involves practicing love in our daily lives.
“What we see here is love,” he remarked.
“We understand the love of Jesus through acts of love and care.”
The Pope extended his thanks to the children and the young people who have allowed themselves to be cared for, describing them as teachers of how to receive God’s love.
The ALMA Community’s Mission
Sister Getrudis Bidi, the superior of the ALMA community, highlighted the significant challenges faced by the children at the school, including disabilities and severe disadvantages.
She expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his message and his example of loving the poor.
She shared that ALMA’s mission is to make the Gospel tangible and effective in today’s world, echoing Jesus’s words about caring for “the least of these.”
The Reality of Poverty in East Timor
The World Bank reports that around 40% of East Timor’s population lives below the poverty line, struggling with a national poverty headcount ratio of $3.65 a day.
Many families, unable to provide for children with disabilities, turn to Catholic organizations like ALMA for support and education.
A Memorable Farewell Gift
Before leaving the school to meet with local clergy and religious figures at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Pope Francis presented a statue of the Holy Family to the Irmãs Alma School.
He reminded everyone of the importance of love and care, using the Holy Family as a symbol of nurturing and compassion.
“This is the gift I leave to this house,” he said.
“St. Joseph cares for the Virgin, the Virgin cares for Jesus, and the most important is Jesus, who lets Himself be cared for by Mary and Joseph.”