Sign in Subscribe
Youth

Pope Francis Heads to Portugal for World Youth Day Amid Clergy Abuse Scandal

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Portugal this week for the first post-pandemic edition of World Youth Day, where he will meet with over 1 million young people from around the world. The event will take place in Lisbon, and organizers have taken measures to ensure the well-being of attendees, including installing water tanks and doubling the number of drinking fountains in the city. Despite the ongoing clergy abuse scandal, Francis is expected to refer to the issue in his public remarks, having done so during past foreign trips.

Key Takeaways:

  • Over 1 million young people from around the world are expected to attend World Youth Day in Lisbon, Portugal.
  • Pope Francis will meet with Portuguese officials at the Belem National Palace on Wednesday, followed by a visit to the 16th-century Jeronimos Monastery and church.
  • The Portuguese Catholic hierarchy has recently begun to reckon with its legacy of clergy sexual abuse, with an independent commission reporting that at least 4,815 boys and girls were abused in the country since 1950.
  • Victims' advocates have launched a campaign called "This is our memorial" to honor the abuse survivors, with billboards reading "4,800+ Children Abused" to be displayed around Lisbon.
  • Pope Francis will likely refer to the clergy abuse scandal in his public remarks, having done so during past foreign trips.
  • Organizers have taken measures to ensure attendees' well-being, including installing 32 water tanks with 640 taps and doubling the number of drinking fountains in the city.
  • Reusable water bottles and sunhats will be provided to registered participants in their welcome knapsacks.
  • Pope Francis' weakened condition due to a recent hernia surgery may pose a concern in the hot weather, with temperatures forecast to hit 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit).

Statistics:

  • Around 1 million young people are expected to attend World Youth Day in Lisbon.
  • At least 4,815 boys and girls were abused in Portugal since 1950, according to an independent commission.
  • 32 water tanks with 640 taps have been installed by organizers.
  • The number of drinking fountains in the city has been doubled to around 400.
  • 400 billboards with the message "4,800+ Children Abused" will be displayed around Lisbon.

Sources:

  • Associated Press
  • The Conversation US (with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc.)

Read more