Portugal

The Latest

The official logo of World Youth Day Lisbon. Photo courtesy Beatriz Roque Antunez.

Here are answers to your questions about World Youth Day 2023

Jul 28, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

As WYD2023 in Lisbon draws near, we’ve compiled answers to the most frequently asked questions about this international event. Read more

World Youth Day 2023 headquarters in Lisbon, Portugal.

As WYD in Lisbon is set to begin, volunteers express excitement and ‘immense joy’

Jul 27, 2023

By Clara Raimundo

Volunteers working tirelessly at World Youth Day headquarters in Lisbon are getting ready to welcome participants from across the world. Read more

Pope Francis invited young people from Portugal to join him in the window of the Apostolic Palace for the World Youth Day announcement in October 2022.

Pope Francis expected to meet with abuse victims at World Youth Day in Portugal

Jul 21, 2023

By Daniel Payne

The Holy Father will meet with victims as part of his multi-day visit to Lisbon, Portugal, in early August.  Read more

Young people from Spain will make a pilgrimage for 40 days to World Youth Day in Lisbon on Aug. 1–6, 2023.

Close to 100 Spanish youths to walk almost 800 miles to World Youth Day in Lisbon

Jun 28, 2023

By Nicolás de Cárdenas

This pilgrimage will also serve as a fundraiser to restore the chapel of the old Mental Institute of the Holy... Read more

Lucia dos Santos via Public Domain.

 5 Things to know about Venerable Lucia dos Santos

Jun 22, 2023

By Francesca Pollio Fenton

The cause for sainthood of Sister Lucia dos Santos, one of the Fatima visionaries, was advanced by Pope Francis on... Read more

A statue of St. Anthony in Lisbon’s Church of St. Anthony.

Here’s what the Portuguese want you to know about St. Anthony of Padua before World Youth Day

Jun 13, 2023

By Courtney Mares

The famous Franciscan saint was not born where most people assume he was. In August, World Youth Day participants can... Read more

A screenshot from Pope Francis' May 4 video message to young people attending World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Here is Pope Francis’ schedule for World Youth Day 2023 in Lisbon

Jun 6, 2023

By Hannah Brockhaus

Pope Francis’ schedule for his trip to Portugal for World Youth Day 2023 was published by the Vatican on Tuesday. Read more

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