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.
Sister Lúcia dos Santos, who, with her cousins, reported seeing a vision of the Virgin Mary when she was a child in Fátima, Portugal, has received a decree of heroic virtues from Pope Francis, meaning she now has the title “venerable.”
While bishops in Ukraine and Russia are grateful Pope Francis will consecrate their nations to Mary, other Catholics are eagerly awaiting the text of the pope’s prayer to see if he does it “correctly.”
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio celebrates Mass in the Capelinha in Fatima, Portugal, for hundreds of English-speaking pilgrims.
Dear Editor: On Saturday, May 13, I left Our Lady Queen of Martyrs after noon Mass, Confession and the First Joyful Mystery of the Rosary. As I opened the door to leave, I felt the falling rain. I had made a vow the previous summer to take a walk to Our Lady of Fatima Church near LaGuardia Airport.
I expect a large audience on Friday and Saturday when NET-TV broadcasts live coverage of Pope Francis’ pilgrimage to Fatima. I say that because there is such great interest in the events that happened in that Portuguese city 100 years ago this weekend.
