“Consolidation phase”: As the Pope heads to Portugal, he’s laying the groundwork for the church’s future and his own legacy
NICOLE WINFIELD, of Associated Press, says the 86-year-old Pope is opening a frenetic second half of the year with his Portugal visit…
Victims hope Pope’s Portugal visit to shine spotlight on clerical abuse
Lisbon, PortugalReuters Filipa Almeida was 17 when she was sexually abused by a priest. She stayed silent for years but eventually found the strength to speak out and hopes a visit by Pope Francis to her native Portugal this week will remind the world of thousands of similar crimes. “I lived with this secret for […]
Youth Catholics gather in Lisbon, awaiting Pope
Lisbon, Portugal Reuters Waving their countries’ flags and singing, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims from all over the world flocked to one of Lisbon’s main parks on Tuesday to mark the start of the world’s largest gathering of young Catholics. “It’s very emotional,” said Brazilian pilgrim Vitor Goncalves, 25, as the event’s opening Mass was […]
Pope to Portugal for bittersweet ‘Catholic Woodstock’ of the young
Lisbon, PortugalReuters Hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world have descended on Portugal to welcome Pope Francis when he arrives on Wednesday to close a jamboree dubbed “the Catholic Woodstock”. However, the shadow of the church’s sexual abuse scandal will haunt the background as a reminder of how much work it still […]
Animal rights campaigners urge Pope Francis to denounce bullfighting
Vatican CityReuters A group of animal rights activists gathered near the Vatican on Friday dressed in red capes and fake horns to urge Pope Francis to denounce what they see as the barbaric practice of bullfighting. Activists from the animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) protest against bullfighting near Vatican, […]
A taste of cookie heaven? Lisbon pastry shop marks Pope’s visit
Lisbon, PortugalReuters As Lisbon gears up for a long visit by Pope Francis next week, a local pastry shop has rolled out a brand-new treat to mark the occasion: a cookie with the pontiff’s picture on it that is already selling fast. The idea began as an in-house joke between one of the owners of […]
Lisbon city council accused of “sweeping homeless under rug” ahead of Pope’s visit
Lisbon, PortugalReuters With tears running down her face, 48-year-old Rita Moreira sat next to the tiny tent where she has lived for over a month in one of Lisbon’s main arteries and from where she is being forced to move. Rita Moreira, a 49 years old homeless resident, talks to journalists in downtown Lisbon, Portugal, […]
‘Football Leaks’ ruling postponed in light of new law, Pope’s visit
Lisbon, PortugalReuters A Lisbon court postponed on Tuesday a verdict in the trial of Rui Pinto, the creator of Football Leaks, due to a new law set to pardon some young offenders that might come into force soon in light of Pope Francis’ visit to Portugal next month. Pinto, 34, set up the Football Leaks […]
Planned strikes cast shadow over Pope’s Portugal visit next month
Lisbon, PortugalReuters Portuguese teachers, railway workers, police officers and garbage collectors are planning protests and strikes during a visit by Pope Francis next month in an effort to force the government to raise wages and improve their working conditions. Francis will travel to Lisbon from 2nd to 6th August to attend the World Youth Day […]
Vatican confirms August trip by Pope to Lisbon for World Youth Day, including Fatima stop
Rome, ItalyAP Pope Francis will travel to Portugal for World Youth Day in the first week of August and include a stop at the popular Marian shrine in Fatima, the Vatican said Monday. The 2nd to 6th August visit is longer than originally expected and covers almost the entire week of the big Catholic rally […]