The sun scorched Lisbon, Portugal, on Saturday as a staggering 1.5 million young people converged on a field, braving the sweltering heat to participate in Pope Francis’s World Youth Day vigil. Temperatures soared to 38C, with forecasts predicting a scorching 40C on Sunday. The pilgrims, many carrying national flags, formed long queues to fill water bottles from over 400 taps installed around the field. The Vatican said the estimated number of attendees was 1.5 million, with the crowd comprising people of all ages, including families and groups of friends.
To combat the heat, crews sprayed mist over the pilgrims as they entered the venue. Many sought shade under makeshift awnings constructed from plastic canvas sheets tied between bins near the River Tagus. The vibrant atmosphere was marred by the haze cast by smoke from wildfires that broke out across Portugal during a weekend heatwave. The pilgrims, undeterred by the challeng ing conditions, made their way to the venue, some carrying hand-held fans and others wearing hats to protect themselves from the sun.
Pope Francis (Via Pope Francis/Twitter)
The pilgrimage to Fatima, a revered Catholic shrine, was a highlight of the Catholic youth festival. Pope Francis had spent the morning at the shrine, where he ditched his prepared script and delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace in an impromptu address. The Vatican said the Pope “prayed silently for peace, with pain,” meditating for a long period before a statue of the Virgin Mary.
Prior to his visit to Fatima, Pope Francis had spent the morning at the Catholic shrine, where he met with young people with disabilities and delivered a heartfelt prayer for peace.
The prayer, which was later posted on the Vatican’s official platform X, formerly known as Twitter, did not mention Ukraine or Russia specifically, instead consecrating the church and the world, “especially those countries at war,” to Mary. The Pope also wrote, “Open paths where it seems that none exist,” and “loosen the tangles of self-centeredness and the snares of power.”
Pope Francis was joined by thousands of young people who had gathered at the Fatima shrine, where they participated in the evening vigil ahead of the 37th World Youth Day.
