During the Pope's arrival in Fatima, the atmosphere among the pilgrims ranged from joy to silent, emotional tears.
On the way to the site of the apparitions, Pope Francis was gifted flowers and shared special moments with the crowd, like this encounter with a child.
The Pope approached Our Lady of Fatima in his wheelchair and prayed in silence for a few minutes. During that time, the entire square fell silent.
Then everyone prayed the rosary. The mysteries were led by people with disabilities.
At the end, Pope Francis offered a reflection. He said that the structure of the chapel at Fatima is a reflection of what the Church should be. An open place, without doors, where everyone can enter and be welcomed.
POPE FRANCIS
The Church does not have doors so that everyone can enter... and here too, we can insist that everyone can enter because this is the Mother's house and a mother always has an open heart for all of her children. Everyone, everyone, everyone, without exclusion.
He then asked those present to trust in Our Lady as she comes running to reach everyone.
POPE FRANCIS
There are so many invocations of Mary but one that we can also say is this: the Virgin who comes running. Every time there is a problem, every time we invoke her, she does not delay, she comes, she hurries. Our Lady in a hurry. Do you like that? Let's say it all together. 'Our Lady in a hurry.' She hurries to be near us.
Pope Francis then left the chapel, among the great emotion of all those present, to return to Lisbon for one of the highlights of World Youth Day: the vigil with the young people.
JRB
TR: AT
