Through "technical assistance and appropriate education", we must "encourage the country to promote the stabilisation of the democratic institutions, to give prominence to the domestic resources and make sure the population receives respectable moral, civil and intellectual education", said Benedict XVI today to Justino Maria Aparício Guterres, the new ambassador of the Republic of East Timor to the Holy See. According to the Pope, the United Nations must assist East Timor also at the "stage of national consolidation", by paying attention to the problems of the poor, which have "moral repercussions as well". The "bishops, priests and religious communities of East Timor are incessantly committed to the mission of evangelisation, assistance and charity". "Men and women, called to a vocation of unselfish service said the Pope , spend their lives in mitigating pains, in educating and training", by giving "help and support, by inspiring love and hope". To conclude, Benedict XVI offered "the Pope’s full and legal cooperation in the accomplishment of the apostolic ministry", by entrusting East Timor to the protection of the Virgin.
