Pope Francis closed his five-day trip to Portugal Sunday, Aug. 6, thanking the 24,000 volunteers who helped organize the global World Youth Day gathering, saying service to others helps them grow in love of God.
Author: Christine
World Youth Day 2027 Will Be in Seoul, South Korea, Pope Announces
World Youth Day is returning to Asia in 2027 and will be hosted in Seoul, South Korea.
Pope Says Ban on Women Priests, Gay Marriage Doesn’t Mean Church is ‘Closed’
Pope Francis insisted Sunday that restricting access to sacraments such as priestly ordination, as the Catholic Church does for women, and marriage, in the case of the LGBTQ+ community, is not a sign of close-mindedness.
Pope Closes World Youth Day Expressing ‘Great Sorrow’ for War in Ukraine
Pope Francis, having not mentioned the war in Ukraine throughout his 5-day visit to Portugal, offered explicit prayers for peace in the country on his final day, while also telling young people they are signs of peace for the world.
Pope Announces Capital of South Korea as Next World Youth Day Host
In a sign of the rapidly expanding influence that Asian Catholicism is having in the global Church, Pope Francis announced Sunday at the close of World Youth Day (WYD) in Portugal that the next such gathering will be held in Seoul, South Korea.
Russian Orthodox Prelate Thanks Pope for Ukraine Peace Efforts
During a meeting with interreligious leaders Aug. 4 in Lisbon, Pope Francis spoke to a Russian Orthodox bishop who voiced regret for the Ukraine war and thanked the pontiff for his repeated efforts and words on behalf of the Ukrainian people.
Vatican Denies Pope Struggling With Eyesight in Portugal
After Pope Francis set aside a prepared speech in Lisbon Friday morning, citing problems with his eyesight amid poor lighting, concern over the pontiff’s vision has grown after he largely ignored two other prepared texts, including a highly anticipated message Saturday morning in Fatima.
Pope Hears Young People’s Confessions in WYD ‘Reconciliation Park’
Young people were going to confession on street corners and park benches throughout Lisbon during World Youth Day, but in the 150 plywood confessionals set up in Vasco da Gama Garden three of them found themselves face to face with Pope Francis.
Pope Meets WYD Pilgrims From Ukraine, Hears Their Stories
Fifteen World Youth Day pilgrims from Ukraine, most of whom had lost a father or other close relative in the war, had a private meeting with Pope Francis Aug. 3.
Pope in Lisbon Calls on Youth to Be ‘Teachers of Hope’
Pope Francis kicked off the second day of his Aug. 2-6 visit to Lisbon meeting with Catholic university students, telling them to maintain a restless search for a better future and to work toward a more inclusive and just world.
