Pope Francis is scheduledto be in Dili 9-11 September where he is set to conduct a Eucharistic celebration at Tasi Tolu for the public, the government of Timor-Leste said in a statement.

Commenting on the Papal’s visit,  Timor-Leste’s Cardinal Dom Virgílio do Carmo and Monsignor Marco Sprizzi said the visit was “a historic event for the Timorese, who ardently desired the presence of the Holy Father Francis in this blessed land.”

Timor-Leste’s  vice coordinator for the papal visit, Minister Tomás do Rosário Cabral, said that the government wish “that this Apostolic Visit will be a moment of blessing and spiritual renewal for all Timorese, inspiring each of us to continue building a society based on the values of peace, solidarity and fraternity.”

The Timor-Leste and Asia trip has been on the pontiff’s agenda for several years, but there has been questions about whether the 87-year-old papal would make the trip given his health problems.

A detailed programme of the Papal’s journey will be published in due course.