The Portuguese press is worried. Pope Francis, 86, underwent surgery for a risky intestinal obstruction on June 7. For Lisbon, the only outstanding question: Will he come to World Youth Day (WYD) 2023 in Lisbon, at the beginning of August?
Will World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 take place without Pope Francis? This is the question that has been haunting the Portuguese press for several days. After his operation under general anesthesia on June 7 at the Gemelli Hospital in Rome at risk of intestinal obstruction, the Sovereign Pontiff is resting. However, many local Portuguese media are reassuring. François is resting but will come to Lisbon in August. According to what was reported by the Observer, a Portuguese newspaper on the Internet, by Monsignor Americo Aguiar, Auxiliary Bishop of Lisbon and responsible for the organization of WYD Day 2023, the hypothesis of a WYD without the presence of the Pope seems very unlikely. Why ? Quite simply because the latter has repeatedly reiterated his desire to come to Lisbon. ” He would always say, “I, as best I can. […] I’m going to Fatima and I’m going to Portugal, I’m going to WYD” Bishop José Ornelas, president of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, mentioned it while hoping that the Holy Father would recover quickly.
WYD, yes, but with the Pope!
No Plan B, then. As the local press notes, Including Noticias ao minuto, a Portuguese newspaper on the Internet, there is no other solution planned in these global youth days. This surgical intervention, which the pope’s medical team deemed necessary, should not necessarily disrupt the event’s programming. As evidence, Bishop Americo Aguiar was emphatic when asked by reporters about a possible Plan B: “ The only plan is F of François” . The Bishop also put the news of the Holy Pope’s health condition into perspective, in light of the concerns of the Portuguese Catholics. He points out that the Pope’s age (86) makes him ” Dear grandfather ” who needs ” Care and support ” natural. ” We do not expect any scenarios, but we expect the Pope to come here [à Lisbonne].Bishop Jose Ornelas adds in a press conference. As for the Vatican, there are no other possibilities. It will be WYD Day with Jorge Mario Bergoglio. This week the Holy See released the detailed schedule for the five days the Argentine will spend in Portugal. A pilgrimage trip that includes 20 meetings and a visit to the shrine of Marian in Fatima (central east of the country), on Saturday, August 5th.
As a reminder, in Toronto, in 2002, Jean-Paul II weakened and had the right to a relaxed program with a lot of rest, perhaps it will be the same for François.
