LISBON: In anticipation of Pope Francis's visit, a multitude of devoted Catholics, in the thousands, gathered at Portugal's Fatima shrine even before daybreak on Saturday. This sacred occasion holds a special rosary prayer for sick children, people with disabilities, and inmates. The Pope had arrived in Lisbon earlier for World Youth Day, a grand gathering of the faithful held every few years in different cities. The visit would culminate in a papal Mass on Sunday.

The 86-year-old pontiff traveled by helicopter for a brief stop in the central Portuguese town, where hundreds of thousands of devotees eagerly awaited his presence. Some enthusiasts even camped out overnight, hoping for a vantage point close to the chapel.

As the sun rose, the sanctuary teemed with pilgrims who had come from far and wide to witness this momentous event. Among them was Lesia Dankivna, a Ukrainian residing in neighboring Spain, draped in her country's yellow and blue flag. She had journeyed to Portugal upon hearing about the Pope's visit, clinging to hope that his prayers might bring peace to Ukraine, a country plagued by conflict.

The significance of Fatima as a sacred site is rooted in the belief that the Virgin Mary appeared to three Portuguese children in 1917. The children were blessed with three messages, known as the secrets of Fatima. Pope Francis had already canonized two of these shepherd children in 2017, a moment that left 60-year-old Carlos Ribeiro from Guimaraes overwhelmed with emotion. He has been a devoted pilgrim to Fatima for many years and finds solace in the vast outdoor sanctuary, one of Europe's most renowned religious sites.

After this visit, Pope Francis would return to Lisbon to partake in a vigil with young people at the riverside Parque Tejo, a spacious, open area. However, weather forecasts issued by the Portuguese state weather agency indicate a high alert for extreme temperatures in Lisbon, with Sunday's temperatures expected to soar to 41 degrees Celsius (105.8 Fahrenheit).

The faithful's pilgrimage to Portugal's Fatima shrine, eagerly awaiting Pope Francis's blessings and prayers, is a testament to the enduring strength of devotion and hope that unites people from diverse corners of the world. The sacredness of this occasion, combined with the Pope's presence, creates an atmosphere of unity, compassion, and spiritual renewal. 

World Youth Day 2023: A Spiritual Journey in Lisbon, Portugal