The Pope visited the Shrine of Fátima this Saturday morning, August 5. It was almost 8:40 am when the helicopter that was transporting him landed near the Shrine. “It is important that the Church has no doors, so that everyone can enter,” Francis said after reciting the rosary. 

Francis did not want to use the safety capsule, the glass that usually covers the popemobile, so that he could be closer to the people and that is how he presents himself to the people. On his way to the Shrine, Bishop José Ornelas, Bishop of Leiria and Fátima, follow him by his side. He will spend two hours in this place with the pilgrims, young people with illnesses or disabilities and prisoners who could not go to Lisbon, in their majority, reinforcing the idea that “the Church is for everyone”. 

On the way to the Chapel of the Apparitions, Francis blesses some children who are placed in his arms, as he did in Lisbon, offering them rosaries that he brought with him. When he reaches the destination, the people rejoice, and one can hear: “Long live the Pope”. 

With a bouquet of flowers in his lap, he finally enters the Chapel of the Apparitions and addresses the image of Our Lady of Fátima, to whom he gives it. Francisco's eyes close to allow a moment of silent surrender to the Virgin Mother. The rosary is then prayed, in which these young people participate in various languages, and Francis gives a speech referring to the example of Mary. “Our Lady who goes with haste and always accompanies, is never the protagonist, she always follows Jesus,” he said, leading each of those present to reflect. 

This is the fourth day of Francis in Portugal, on the visit that integrates the World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023.