Families' homes are being demolished near Dili, the capital of Timor-Leste, in the area where Pope Francis will celebrate mass next month.

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.

"They even demolished our belongings inside the house. Now we have to rent nearby because my children are still in school in this area,” she added.

A spokesman for the residents said that 11 families will have been moved before Pope Francis arrives in Timor-Leste. The government has paid them between $7,000 and $10,000 for their homes.