More than 1,500 people packed into a cathedral in East Timor on Tuesday and an overspill of hundreds swarmed outside as one of the world's most devoutly Roman Catholic nations mourned the passing of Pope Francis.

East Timor President Jose Ramos-Horta said on Monday the death of Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, was a tremendous loss for

Francis had touted reconciliation and equality in the Catholic-majority nation, during his tour in the region last year