This is how Pope Francis was welcomed at the Serafina Parish Center in Lisbon. There, he met with representatives of centers dedicated to supporting those in need.
One of the centers is dedicated to taking in abandoned children. It was created after the 2007 referendum in Portugal that increased abortion access in the country. Another center is dedicated to people battling cancer. And the parish’s own center was born in the late 1950s to address a wide-range of needs for community members.
Recalling Pope John XXIII, Francis told the audience that they are an example that the Church is not a museum, but something living, that goes out to meet the concrete needs of people. But he had to stop in the middle of his speech due to a vision problem.
POPE FRANCIS
There are many things I would like to tell you now but it seems that my “headlights” are not working and I cannot read well. And so I am going to give the speech to you so that you can make it public later and not strain my eyes or read it wrong. That cannot be done.
The Pope then gave an impromptu speech where he said that the way the audience members help others is an example for young people.
POPE FRANCIS
There could not be a World Youth Day without taking this reality into account because you also represent youth in the way you continually generate new life.
At the end of the event, the Pope greeted those present and received a special greeting from the children’s choir.
Then, Pope Francis entered the parish grounds where people who benefit from the parish and the charity centers were waiting for him. He stopped for a while to pray before a statue of Our Lady of Fatima.
JRB
TR: AT
