Archbishop Pena Parra presided over the ceremony, calling the new embassy  a “spiritual gift” from Pope Francis to Timor-Leste.

The embassy is “another concrete sign of solicitude, care, and love that the supreme pontiffs have always demonstrated for the people of this noble island nation Timor-Leste,” said Archbishop Parra during the inauguration ceremony.

The Pope's new home in Timor-Leste, he said, reflects the "excellent bilateral relationship between Timor-Leste and the Holy See" which has lasted for 20 years along with the age of restoration of independence.

“It serves as a source of encouragement and renewal for the Catholic faith and for people of goodwill, to continue to serve the poorest and most vulnerable in this land”, he said.

President Ramos-Horta, who took part in the opening ceremony, said he expects the new embassy to open the door for the appointment of the first resident nuncio in the country.

Currently, the Vatican has a charge d’affaires based in Dili.