President of East Timor Full Interview

About this sermon

Dr. Jose Ramos-Horta is the president of Timor Leste. The small country, with a population of just 1.3million people, only gained its independence in 2002. For years it had been a Portuguese colony, and then from 1975 to 1999 suffered a violent and bloody occupation by Indonesia where up to 250,000 people were killed, including Ramos-Horta’s own brother and sister. And throughout East Timor's struggle for independence, Ramos-Horta was a leading advocate for Timorese self-determination, spending over two decades in exile, raising global awareness about the human rights abuses in his homeland. In 1996, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside Bishop Carlos Ximenes Belo. After East Timor gained independence in 2002, Ramos-Horta held various high-ranking positions, including foreign minister, prime minister, and now, president. He has shaped the political and societal landscape of his country. And now he prepares to welcome Pope Francis to beloved country. EWTN's Colm Flynn sits down in Dili for an interview with the president.