Official program for Pope's visit to Portugal revealed
The Vatican today unveiled the official programme for Pope Francis' apostolic visit to Portugal for World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023. The first contact with pilgrims from all over the world is scheduled for June 3, at the Colina do Encontro (Eduardo VII Park).
As already announced by the Holy See, Pope Francis will arrive in Lisbon on August 2, having scheduled a meeting with the President of the Republic, Authorities, Civil Society, the Diplomatic Corps and the Prime Minister.
In a press conference, Archbishop Manuel Clemente, Cardinal-Patriarch of Lisbon, highlighted the "unprecedented richness" that it will be to receive young people from different countries of the world, from diverse cultures, in Lisbon. "It has been a successive involvement, which continues, of thousands of people, the overwhelming majority of whom are volunteers, who are working to make this event a very large projection throughout the world," he assured.
[WYD] marks a generation. With all these people who are working on the Day and with everything that will happen to those who participate in it, it will be the generation 2023. It is very striking and very involving in the sense of a more ecumenical society, more in solidarity and more fraternal
D. Américo Aguiar, President of the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation, presented the program that has been released and said that part of it sought to meet the "beloved themes" of Pope Francis, such as caring for the "common home," fraternity among all, and education. In addition, Archbishop Américo Aguiar also highlighted the search for "intergenerational encounter, to which the Pope also invites us so much" and that "the Journey leaves a unique legacy.
We want young people to be present on the Day. We are working so that, both on the hill of encounter and in the field of grace, young people with disabilities can be there
Also Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, expressed "joy and immense gratitude for Lisbon having been the city chosen for this World Youth Day". "We are ready," said the mayor of Lisbon, less than two months before WYD Lisbon 2023.
I sincerely ask all Lisbon families to open their homes to all those who will be here during these days
Learn more about the official program for the Pope's apostolic visit here.
[updated on 7 June 2023]
