Homes bulldozed in Timor-Leste ahead of Pope visit

Government says thousands are living illegally in area where the pontiff will celebrate mass.

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Nearly 90 people have been told by the government that they must find somewhere new to live before he arrives, according to evicted residents who spoke to the BBC.

The Timor-Leste government denies the evictions are connected to the Pope's visit, insisting that the residents are living there illegally.

Authorities have spent around $18m (£13.6m) on the pontiff's three-day visit, which begins on 9 September.

“We are very sad," Zerita Correia, a local resident, told BBC News.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgr31dzky2o

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