Lisbon, Portugal, May 25, 2010 / 18:06 pm
The bishops of Portugal released a message last week emphasizing the value of the Holy Father's words to the Portuguese faithful during his recent four-day stay in their country. The prelates welcomed his teachings with “joy and responsibility” saying the Pope's suggestions will be used in the formation of a pastoral plan for evangelization.
The Holy Father made an apostolic journey to Portugal May 11-14, making stops in Lisbon and Fatima, giving 16 official addresses to Portuguese religious, cultural, social, civil and military representatives and masses of people. The culminating moment of the trip was Mass in Fatima on May 13, which was celebrated with 500,000 in attendance.
On May 19, the Portuguese bishops released a message in which they thanked the faithful for their “remarkable” mobilization to see Benedict XVI. “A current of deep and simple humanity traveled distances and brought many people together, united in the common search for wisdom and seeking to calm the great fears of the future.”
The bishops said that the visit, marked by spontaneous affection and a holiness that attracted people of all ages, was a “real act of Easter” which left the Church with a wealth of words and specific guidance from the Successor of Peter.