Pope Francis has arrived in Lisbon - an ocean city

Source: Vatican News/ICN

Pope Francis arrived in Lisbon this morning on his 42nd Apostolic Journey, for the 37th World Youth Day. The papal flight arrived a Figo Maduro air base at about 10am. After the welcome ceremony the Pope was taken to the National Palace in Belem for a meeting with President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Assembly President Augusto Ernesto dos Santos Silva, and other civil authorities.

In his address Pope Francis described Lisbon as "a city of encounter, which embraces many peoples and cultures.... one that is grounded in a desire to be open to the world and to explore it."

"Lisbon, as an ocean city … reminds us of the importance of the whole, to think of borders as places of contact, not as boundaries that separate," Francis said, saying the current historical moment calls for "courageous courses of peace."

Describing the world as "divided" and "insufficiently cohesive," the Pope said Lisbon can suggest "a different path."

"A sea of young people is pouring into this hospitable city," Pope Francis said. "Young people from around the world, who long for unity, peace, and fraternity, urge us to make their good dreams come true." He said World Youth Day "represents a chance to build together" "to put out into the deep and to set sail together towards the future."

Pope Francis then spoke about the ecological crisis facing the world. Despite major progress toward environmental renewal in Portugal and Europe, he said the problem remains "extremely grave." The oceans, are becoming increasingly polluted.

Pope Francis said: "human life is meant to be an integrated part of an environment greater than ourselves … How can we claim to believe in young people if we do not give them healthy spaces in which to build the future?"

Pope Francis also mentioned the declining birth rate in Europe. He said: "the fear of forming families and bringing children into the world" has gripped much of the younger generations. The crisis "calls for reversing the fall in the birth rate and the weakening of the will to live." The Pope challenged political leaders "to show foresight by investing in the future, in families, and in children, and by promoting intergenerational covenants that do not cancel the past but forge bonds between young and old."

Pope Francis then urged Portugal and the world to focus on "fraternity, which we Christians learn about from Jesus Christ."

Globalization has challenged us "to cultivate a sense of community, beginning with concern for those who live close by."

"How beautiful it is to realize that we are brothers and sisters and to pursue the common good, leaving behind our conflicts and differing viewpoints!" the pope said.

He expressed hope that World Youth Day would generate an "impulse towards universal openness" in its participants.

The Holy Father urged the assembly to "feel called, as brothers and sisters, to give hope to the world in which we live, and to this magnificent country."

"God bless Portugal!" he said.

Read more about the Pope's itinerary here: www.indcatholicnews.com/news/47319