(ZENIT News / Lisbon, 05.08.2023).- On Saturday morning, August 5, Pope Francis left the Apostolic Nunciature and went by car to the Figo Maduro Air Base in Lisbon, where he boarded a military helicopter for the trip to Fatima. Earlier he celebrated Mass privately and had breakfast. On his private arrival at Fatima’s Heliport, he was greeted by the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima and President of Portugal’s Episcopal Conference, Monsignor José Ornelas Carvalho. Then he went by car to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima where, after touring in the Popemobile among the faithful, at 9:30 am he went to pray the Holy Rosary with Sick Young People in the Chapel of the Apparitions.
After entering the Chapel, the Holy Father venerated the image of the Most Holy Virgin of Fatima and paused in silent prayer. Two children offered the Pontiff flowers which he deposited at the Virgin’s feet and left to her as a present a gold Rosary.
At the end of the prayer of the Rosary and after the greeting of the Bishop of Leiria-Fatima, the Holy Father gave his address.
After the Final Blessing and a few songs, Pope Francis greeted some sick young people. He then went to the Fatima heliport from where he left by a military helicopter to return to the Figo Maduro Air Base in Lisbon and ultimately to the Apostolic Nunciature.
According to the Authorities, some 200,000 people were at the Fatima Shrine to pray the Holy Rosary with the Pope.
