Pope Francis explained why he chose not to publicly pray for an end to the war in Ukraine during his visit to the Fatima shrine, stating that he prayed privately but did not want to advertise it. He emphasized the importance of continually praying for peace and highlighted the request made by Our Lady during the First World War. The pope also discussed his health, deviating from prepared speeches, and the need for dialogue between generations. He addressed mental health and suicide among young people, stating that it is a major issue. Regarding access to sacraments, he emphasized that the Church welcomes everyone, including homosexual people, and described the Church as a mother who guides her children in their faith journey.
Pope Francis discussed his recovery from abdominal surgery, explaining that he deviated from his prepared speeches during his recent trip to Portugal in order to better communicate with young people. He ad-libbed his speech in Fatima and skipped a planned peace prayer, instead reciting a Hail Mary with young disabled people. The Vatican later posted part of the prayer on social media. Francis emphasized that he had prayed silently for peace but didn't want to give "publicity" to a public prayer. He also mentioned that he included LGBTQ+ Catholics in his vision of an inclusive church.
Pope Francis discussed his recovery from abdominal surgery, stating that he spoke off-the-cuff during his recent trip to Portugal to better communicate with young people, not because of fatigue or illness. He deviated from his prepared speeches and prayers, including a peace prayer in Fatima, opting instead to pray silently and not give "publicity" to a public prayer. Francis emphasized the importance of engaging young people and delivering brief, clear, and loving messages in homilies. He also affirmed the inclusion of LGBTQ+ Catholics in the church, stating that "everyone is welcome." The Pope's health is reported to be good, with the abdominal stitches removed but a protective belt still worn for healing.
Around 1.5 million young people gathered in scorching heat in Lisbon for Pope Francis' World Youth Day vigil, enduring temperatures of up to 38 Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) and seeking shade under umbrellas and makeshift shelters. The pope delivered an impromptu speech in Spanish, emphasizing the importance of journeying together and helping one another. Earlier in the day, Francis visited the Catholic shrine in Fatima, where he prayed silently for peace and meditated before a statue of the Virgin Mary. The shrine is associated with exhortations of peace and conversion in Russia and the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Pope Francis visited the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal, where he prayed the Rosary with young sick people and prison inmates. He emphasized that Mary always comes to our aid and shows us the way forward in life. The Pope highlighted the welcoming and open nature of the Church, stating that it has no doors so that everyone can enter. He also emphasized that Mary, as our Mother, rushes to us whenever there is a problem. Pope Francis concluded by inviting the pilgrims to reflect on what Mary is pointing them towards and what Jesus is asking of them.
