Heading for Vatican, cardinal recalls Pope Francis' love for East Timor

Dili, East Timor: The first ever cardinal of Roman Catholic-majority East Timor had barely had time to process the news of Pope Francis' death when he received the summons to attend the conclave that will elect the new pontiff half a world away in the Vatican.

More than 97 per cent of East Timor's 1.3 million people are Roman Catholics, making it one of the largest majorities in the world. Along with the Philippines, it is also one of only two predominantly Christian countries in Asia.

Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva, 57, recalled the strong bond between Francis and the Timorese people in an interview with Reuters at the airport of Dili, East Timor's capital, before flying to Rome, some 12,500 km (7,500) miles away.

"'I'm in love with Timor'," Silva recalled Francis telling him during the pontiff's trip last year. More than 600,000 people - nearly half of East Timor's population - turned out then to see Francis.

Silva, who was made a cardinal by Francis in 2022, said he had been preparing to lead a Mass for the late pope when he received the missive from the Vatican to head to Rome.

"Probably, I will join the meeting on Thursday," Silva said, joking that he was already late.

Cardinals already in Rome decided on Tuesday that Francis' funeral would take place on Saturday, setting the stage for a solemn ceremony that will draw leaders from around the world.

A conclave to choose a new pope normally takes place 15 to 20 days after a pontiff's death, meaning it should not start before May 6. Some 135 cardinals are eligible to participate in the highly secretive ballot that can stretch over days.

"We need a good discernment. I'm happy to participate," said Silva.

Asked about the strongest candidates, he said it could be anyone, adding: "For myself I cannot come with a certain candidate in my mind."

At present there is no clear frontrunner to succeed Francis.

Francis often clashed with conservatives who saw him as overly liberal and too accommodating to minority groups such as the LGBTQ community.

"I think what we need (is) a pope who is not more conservative or more progressive, but somebody who is neutral in order to keep the Church going in that direction," Silva said.

"That's what's in my mind. But the others, I don't know what they think. There should be a balance."