Very dear Pope Francis 

It is with deep joy and thanksgiving to God that, in the name of the Rector, all the collaborators and pilgrims present here and also of the Diocese of Leiria-Fatima. I extend to you a most fraternal welcome to this Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. 

We welcome Your Holiness, accompanying you in your desire to be a pilgrim in prayer to Mary, Mother of Jesus and Mother of the Church. Who prayed with the disciples, imploring the gift of the Holy Spirit for the mission they were about to embark on. 

We pray with you and we pray for you, in this place where Mary revealed her maternal presence and intercession for Peter's ministry in the Church. May the Queen of Apostles continue to inspire and accompany Your Holiness's mission in the Church and in the world, and particularly at World Youth Day which is taking place in Lisbon. 

We also join your Holiness's prayer for peace, with which this Shrine deeply identifies at the request of our Mother. Articularly in view of the war in Ukraine and so many other centres of conflict in the world, which dramatically affect the lives and future, especially of children and young people. Our prayer is also inspired by the maternal care of the Mother of Jesus, revealed here towards three children, simple and poor shepherds, during a bloody war and a pandemic that victimised two of these children, encouraging them in the midst of suffering and giving birth in their hearts to union with Jesus and hope, until life without limits with God. We therefore pray today especially with and for children and young people who are victims of disease, poverty, hunger, all kinds of conflict, abuse, injustice and the exclusion of the weakest. 

With you we pray, and praying we rise from our comfort and indifference, as Mary teaches us, in this WYD, celebrating the joy of being a Church that dreams, particularly with its young people, the dream of Jesus for a more human world, guided by His Spirit to the Heart of the Father in Heaven. Guided by you, Holy Father, we want to pray in Church and also listen to your word. Goodbye and welcome.