Portugal
One and a half million people with Pope at prayer vigil
Worshipers cheer Pope Francis in Lisbon. photo
© Gregorio Borgia/AP
During his devotions for World Youth Day in Lisbon, Pope Francis prays largely freely and without a speech manuscript. Many people have come to hear him.
With an atmospheric devotion in front of a huge crowd of believers Pope Francis ushered in the final hours of World Youth Day in Lisbon. According to estimates by the local authorities, around one and a half million people came to the prayer vigil (vigil) in the Tejo Park in the Portuguese capital last night. There they prayed, sang and danced.
The pontiff spoke – as he did earlier in the days in Lisbon – largely freely and independently of the speech manuscript to the people. He encouraged young people to be “roots of joy” and to support one another – especially when someone is down. “We can only look down on people if we help them get back up,” said the 86-year-old Argentine.
The prayer vigil was one of the highlights of World Youth Day. Today the meeting ends with a closing service (10:00 a.m. CEST). In the evening Francis flies back to Rome.