Portugal

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Pope Francis at the Wednesday general audience on Dec. 28, 2022.

Pope Francis laments new euthanasia law in Portugal on feast of Our Lady of Fatima

May 13, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“I am very sad, because in the country where Our Lady appeared, a law to kill has been enacted,” Pope... Read more

Left to right: Bishop Virgílio Antunes, Portuguese Episcopal Conference vice president; Bishop José Ornelas, conference president; and Father Manuel Barbosa, conference spokesman, during a press conference on March 3, 2023, which was held to discuss steps being taken to halt sexual abuse within the country's Catholic Church.

Portuguese bishops announce steps to end sexual abuse in the Church

Mar 3, 2023

By Clara Raimundo

The bishops of Portugal on Friday began taking concrete steps to respond to a damning investigative report last month. Read more

Portugal Catholic Church /

Portugal report details decades of sexual abuse by priests and others within the Catholic Church

Feb 14, 2023

By Clara Raimundo

Only 25 complaints have been referred to authorities for prosecution because the statute of limitations has expired or the victims... Read more

Pope Francis greets pilgrims near the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima during the 100th anniversary celebration of the Fatima apparitions on May 12, 2017.

Pope Francis: World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon will open horizons, hearts

Jan 20, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

“Get ready for this: to open horizons, to open your hearts,” Pope Francis said. Read more

Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, pictured Dec. 18, 2017

Portugal’s president unhappy with Vatican delegation restrictions for Benedict XVI funeral

Jan 4, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

President Marcelo Nuno Duarte Rebelo de Sousa has taken issue with the announcement that only Italy and Germany would have... Read more

Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa takes a selfie with volunteers from WYD Lisbon 2023.

President of Portugal registers for World Youth Day 2023: Here’s how you can participate

Oct 31, 2022

By CNA Staff

According to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the event “will be the largest collective meeting ever in Portugal.” Read more

Pope Francis greets World Youth Day pilgrims in Panama.

Arise to serve others, Pope Francis urges in World Youth Day message

Sep 12, 2022

By Joe Bukuras

Pope Francis has released his message ahead of the international World Youth Day next year, imploring young people across the... Read more

St. John Paul II in 1978.

St. John Paul II and Blessed Carlo Acutis named among patrons of World Youth Day 2023

May 18, 2022

By CNA Staff

The Virgin Mary will be the “patroness par excellence” of the youth gathering. Read more

Bishop José Ornelas Carvalho.

Pope Francis appoints new Catholic bishop of Fatima

Jan 28, 2022

By Courtney Mares

Bishop José Ornelas Carvalho succeeds 74-year-old Cardinal António Marto. Read more

Credit: sfam_photo/Shutterstock.

Catholic doctors thank Portugal's president for vetoing euthanasia bill

Dec 3, 2021

By ACI Digital

The Association of Portuguese Catholic Doctors on Tuesday thanked President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa for vetoing the euthanasia bill passed... Read more

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.

Portugal’s Catholic bishops approve independent clerical abuse commission

Nov 12, 2021

By CNA Staff

The move followed an appeal by more than 200 Portuguese Catholics. Read more

Young people wearing T-shirts with the official WYD Lisbon 2023 logo.

Dates for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon announced

Oct 5, 2021

By Courtney Mares

The world’s largest gathering of Catholic young people will take place in 2023. Read more

Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça celebrates Mass at Fatima, Portugal, May 13, 2021.

Cardinal at Fatima shrine: World needs ‘spiritual restart’ after pandemic

May 13, 2021

Cardinal José Tolentino de Mendonça was preaching on the May 13 feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Read more

Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, pictured Dec. 18, 2017

Portugal’s Catholic bishops welcome presidential veto of euthanasia bill

Mar 16, 2021

Portugal’s Catholic bishops applaud President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa’s decision to veto a bill legalizing euthanasia Read more

Portuguese president requests constitutional review of proposed euthanasia law

Feb 19, 2021

Portugal’s president on Thursday requested a constitutional review of a recently-passed bill to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in the... Read more

Young people wearing T-shirts with the official WYD Lisbon 2023 logo.

Catholic bishop: World Youth Day 2023 an ‘opportunity to renew hope’ after pandemic

Feb 9, 2021

By Luke Coppen

The Catholic bishop overseeing preparations for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal, has said that the event will be... Read more

The São Bento Palace in Lisbon, the seat of the Portuguese parliament. Credit: erikccooper via Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0).

Portugal’s Catholic bishops express ‘sadness and indignation’ as parliament backs euthanasia bill

Feb 1, 2021

Portugal’s bishops have expressed “sadness and indignation” after parliament approved a bill approving euthanasia.  Read more

Singers record the theme song for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal. Credit: Lisboa2023.org.

Theme song unveiled for next World Youth Day in Lisbon

Jan 27, 2021

The organizers of World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon on Wednesday unveiled the event’s official theme song.  Read more

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima in Portugal.

Portugal’s Catholic bishops suspend public Masses amid rising COVID-19 cases

Jan 22, 2021

Public Masses will be suspended in Portugal from Saturday, the country’s bishops have announced.  Read more

Young people wearing T-shirts with the official WYD Lisbon 2023 logo.

World Youth Day 2023 organizers urge youth to join ‘great national movement’

Nov 13, 2020

The organizers of World Youth Day 2023 invited young Portuguese Catholics this week to prepare for the event by taking... Read more