During this morning, May 12th, Bishop José Rafael Espírito Santo, Regional Vicar of Opus Dei, was received at the headquarters of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) for World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023.

D. Américo Aguiar, President of the WYD Lisbon 2023 Foundation, thanked Bishop José Rafael Espírito Santo for his support and prayers for WYD Lisbon 2023, and for the fact that "from the beginning, he has been following the work we have in hand. He also thanked "all those who are part of Opus Dei Portugal and who directly or indirectly help us”.

The Regional Vicar of Opus Dei said that it was "a great joy to be here, because I have accompanied this Day from the beginning. Bishop José Rafael Espírito Santo also thanked all the collaborators and volunteers who are preparing the biggest gathering of young people from around the world with the Pope, for being "the instruments of God our Lord, for the 'rain of graces' that will take place here at WYD.

He also appealed to young people to be witnesses and "to be able to take this joy of God and of the encounter with Christ to the whole world," "because that is what is going to happen”.

The visit began with the unveiling of a plaque commemorating this moment, and then Bishop José Rafael Espírito Santo also had the opportunity to visit the various departments of the LOC and meet all those who are preparing WYD Lisbon 2023.