After every World Youth Day (WYD), the volunteers have always had the opportunity to meet the Holy Father. This is a way to express gratitude for their service in building the largest gathering of youth from around the world with the Pope.

Being a volunteer at the WYD Lisbon 2023 is a transformative challenge, both personally and spiritually. Volunteers donate their time joyfully to make this encounter possible. The WYD is only possible with to the collaboration of the volunteers. As a token of appreciation and recognition, on August 6th, volunteers will have an exclusive encounter with Pope Francis in Algés.

If you are a volunteer and want to attend the encounter with Pope Francis, here is some useful information:

Exclusive buses for volunteer transportation:

Starting at 11:00 AM, right after the Sending Mass, buses will be available for volunteer transportation. These buses will follow the route multiple times in an operation coordinated by the Traffic Division of Public Security Police (PSP). The meeting point to board the buses is an entrance of IC2, near the Lidl supermarket in Moscavide (map here).

To board these buses, you need to present your central or parish volunteer credential, or your minister of communion credential.

It may take 20 to 40 minutes to reach this meeting point on foot from Campo da Graça. Try to leave as early as possible so that transportation starts promptly at 11:00 AM.

Using the Public Network, not exclusive to volunteers:

An alternative to reach the Passeio Marítimo de Algés from Campo da Graça is to take the train from the Cais do Sodré train station. From there, you can head to Algés, with trains departing every 20 minutes.

To reach the Cais do Sodré train station you can walk, take the Oriente-Santa Apolónia train route, or use the metro between Oriente and Cais do Sodré.

In all alternatives, a significant portion of the journey needs to be covered on foot.

To ensure you don't miss any part of this Encounter with the Pope leave as soon as possible and bring your team along.