Porto, Portugal, May 14, 2010 / 10:05 am
The Holy Father spent the final day of his Apostolic Visit to Portugal in the nation’s “second city” of Porto where the main event of the day was Mass in the main square. Upon his departure from the city this afternoon he thanked the country for its hospitality and said he hopes to see a renewal of the Church.
Arriving in the city after an hour-long helicopter ride from Fatima, where he had been since Tuesday afternoon, the Holy Father was met by the Bishop of Porto, Manuel Jose Macario do Nascimento Clemente, and local political and military leaders.
From the helipad, he rode in the popemobile to the city’s central Avenida dos Aliados di Porto Square, where he celebrated Mass. In his homily Pope Benedict called on Catholics to join him in being witnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus.
At the conclusion of the Mass, he greeted the crowd from the balcony of the Porto municipal building, thanking them for the “festive and cordial welcome” they had given him.