Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva is an East Timor prelate who has played a significant role in promoting peace and reconciliation to the country, particularly in the context of the country’s relationship with Indonesia and internal reconciliation efforts.

Born on November 27, 1967 in Venilale, he joined the Salesians of Don Bosco after attending their schools. He was then sent to study philosophy and theology in Manila and made his first profession in 1990. Do Carmo da Silva was ordained a priest in 1998.

Throughout his career, da Silva has held several important positions. He served as a formator of novices, treasurer, parish vicar, and master of novices. He also obtained a licentiate in Spirituality from the Salesian Pontifical University in Rome. In 2015, he became the provincial of the Salesians in his province.

Do Carmo da Silva’s rise in the Catholic hierarchy began in 2016 when Pope Francis appointed him Bishop of Díli. In 2019, he was elevated to the position of Metropolitan Archbishop of Díli, becoming the first to hold this title. The pinnacle of his ecclesiastical career came on August 27, 2022, when Pope Francis created him a cardinal, making him the first cardinal from East Timor.

Cardinal do Carmo da Silva has been involved in several notable events. He played a significant role in promoting religious tourism in East Timor, emphasizing the economic and cultural value of sacred places. In 2021, he collaborated with the Prime Minister to inaugurate East Timor’s first Catholic university, dedicated to John Paul II.

As a leader in a country with a complex political history, Cardinal do Carmo da Silva has been instrumental in fostering reconciliation. He has spoken about the healing of wounds through forgiveness and the importance of abandoning communist ideology in favor of faith during East Timor’s struggle for independence.

He has also been a strong proponent of human fraternity and has worked to apply the principles contained in the 2019 Document on Human Fraternity signed by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar University.

In May 2018, there were reports of potential attacks by Islamic extremists on churches and on do Carmo da Silva himself, leading to heightened security measures.

Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva played a significant role during Pope Francis’ visit to Timor-Leste in September 2024. He served as a key representative of the Timorese Catholic Church during the papal visit, providing context, interpretation, and spiritual leadership throughout the visit. He described the papal visit as “a historical event” and “a celebration for the people of Timor, a celebration of the faith of the Catholic Church in Timor.”

Cardinal do Carmo da Silva speaks Tetum (the national language of East Timor), Portuguese (an official language), English and Italian.