This is how Pope Francis opened the welcoming ceremony at the Belém Cultural Center, together with the President of Portugal.
During his speech, he called for Europe to return to its original values and promote peace over violence.
POPE FRANCIS
Which route do you follow, West? Which route do you follow, West?
Where do you sail to, if you do not offer peace processes, creative ways to end the war in Ukraine and so many conflicts that stain the world?
The Pope insisted that Europe must be a place where young people can have a future and their lives are not affected by ideological colonization. He referred to the euthanasia law as a result of deviation from the values of the West.
POPE FRANCIS
I dream of a Europe, the heart of the West, that uses its ingenuity to extinguish pockets of war and kindle lights of hope. A Europe that knows how to rediscover its young soul, dreaming of the greatness of the whole and going beyond the needs of the immediate. A Europe that includes people and individuals, without pursuing theories or ideological colonization.
Pope Francis assured that Lisbon is a city of encounter that embraces all people. He said that during World Youth Day, it will be transformed into the capital of the world, welcoming young people from all backgrounds.
PA
TR: AT
