Fatima, Portugal, May 17, 2010 / 09:10 am
Yesterday the rector of the Shrine of Fatima shared his personal impressions and those of the people of Portugal with Vatican Radio following the Pope’s Apostolic Visit. Contrary to the thought that the Pope might not be able to touch the hearts of the faithful, said the priest, he was “so human that he seemed like someone from our family.”
Fr. Virgílio do Nascimento Antunes spoke with Vatican Radio in an interview released on Sunday. The priest is the rector of Our Lady of Fatima Shrine, the destination of Pope Benedict XVI’s pilgrimage last week during his visit to Portugal.
Reflecting on the warm reception of the Portuguese people to the Holy Father’s presence, Fr. Antunes said, “I can say that it surpassed many of my expectations because there was also a very big crowd in Fatima.”
Estimates put the number of pilgrims at the Shrine for Thursday's Mass at half a million.