An estimated 600,000 people – almost half of East Timor’s population – gathered in a seaside park on Tuesday for Mass led by Pope Francis.

The service was held on the same field where Pope John Paul II prayed 35 years ago during the nation’s fight for independence from Indonesia.

Pope Francis, 87, delighted worshippers on Tuesday, staying at Tasitolu Park in Dili, the capital, until well after nightfall.

He toured the field in his open-topped popemobile as the screens of the crowd’s mobile phones lit up the evening.

“I wish for you peace, that you keep having many children, and that your smile continues to be your children,” said Pope Francis in his native Spanish.

The huge turnout was a testament to the overwhelmingly Catholic population of the Southeast Asian country and the high regard its people have for the church.

East Timor formally broke away from Indonesia in 2002 following a brutal, decades-long occupation. The Vatican is credited for standing by the Timorese in their battle for independence and helped draw international attention to their plight.

One of the world’s poorest countries, East Timor, whose population is 1.3 million, lies north of Australia.

Pope Francis will remain in the country until Wednesday as part of a 12-day visit to east Asia that has included stops in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia, before he travels to Singapore and then returns to Rome on Sept 13.