(ZENIT News / Lisbon, 08.06.2023).- During his stay in Portugal, Pope Francis left several gifts as a sign of gratitude. The first of them was given to the Virgin Mary during his visit to Fatima on Saturday, August 5th: a golden rosary that was placed at the statue in the Chapel of Apparitions.
The second gift was a golden chalice for the Archdiocese of Lisbon. The Pope presented this gift to Cardinal Manuel Clemente, the Archbishop of the Portuguese capital.
Finally, the third gift was for the place that hosted him: the Apostolic Nunciature (the Vatican’s embassy in Portugal). It is a work of art by the artist Amalia Mistichelli. The painting features at its center, embedded in the armillary sphere, the Patriarchal Cathedral of Saint Mary Major, the mother church and main place of Catholic worship in the city of Lisbon.
Around it, in a circular form, is the inscription in Latin “DIES MVNDIALIS IVVENTVTIS LISBONAE MMXXIII” (World Youth Day Lisbon 2023), and at the top, between the two towers, the logo of the WYD.
In a circle, towards the outside, are the effigies of the 13 Patrons of the World Youth Day, all Saints or Blessed, who have dedicated their lives to serving the youth. Thirteen lights of holiness chosen by the dioceses of Lisbon as examples of virtue for the participants in the WYD: St. John Paul II, St. John Bosco, St. Vincent, St. Anthony, St. Bartholomew of the Martyrs, St. John de Brito, Blessed Joan of Portugal, Blessed John Fernandes, Blessed Mary Clara of the Child Jesus, Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, Blessed Marcel Callo, Blessed Clara Badano, and Blessed Carlos Acutis.”
