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Pope Francis to Visit Portugal in August for World Youth Day

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Nitish Verma
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Pope Francis has announced his intention to visit Portugal in August to attend World Youth Day, a gathering of young Catholics from around the world, which is to be held in Lisbon.

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The pope plans to visit the shrine of Fatima, a pilgrimage site where he declared sainthood for two young shepherds who had visions of the Virgin Mary over 100 years ago. During his previous visit to Fatima in 2017, Pope Francis urged Catholics to pray for world peace and consecrated the world to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Pope Francis to Attend World Youth Day in Lisbon

The Argentinian pontiff has long been an advocate for the youth and has urged them to play an active role in the church and society. World Youth Day, which is held every three years, is a significant event for young Catholics to come together to celebrate their faith and participate in various religious and cultural activities.

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(Read also: Ukrainian President Zelenskyy to meet Pope Francis during upcoming visit to Italy, say Italian officials)

More than a million pilgrims are expected to attend the event, and the Vatican hopes that the pope's presence will encourage young people to be more involved in the church and contribute to the promotion of peace and justice in the world.

Pope Francis to Visit Fatima Shrine to Pray for Peace

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The pope's visit to the Fatima shrine is also significant, as it is a site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared to three young children over 100 years ago, and where the message of peace and prayer has been emphasized.

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The shrine is considered one of the most important Catholic pilgrimage sites, and the pope's visit is expected to draw significant attention and visitors from around the world. Father Carlos Cabecinhas, the rector of the shrine, stated that the pope's visit will be a special moment and that he hopes the visit will bring renewed emphasis on peace and the importance of prayer.

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