In an interview with CNN Portugal, Bishop D. Américo Aguiar, President of the WYD Lisbon Foundation, speaks about World Youth Day and the post-WYD period, addressing important concerns and issues of this very particular moment in our history.
Less than two months before the start of the great meeting of young people with Pope Francis, Archbishop Américo Aguiar, in an interview with CNN Portugal, shows concern about various issues in terms of logistics, including transport, food, etc. …, but at the same time he is confident: “everyone will give their heart and soul to this project,” he concludes.
With more than 600 thousand young people registered, coming from over 180 countries, these numbers are a little higher than one would expect for this moment, so, as he says, D. Américo Aguiar awaits with “expectation” the behaviour of the young people.
When questioned about the huge investments that are being made, in Portugal, due to the World Youth Day Lisbon 2023, the bishop said that Lisbon, and Portugal, will be, for a week “on the lips of the world”, and that, for this very reason, the investments will “pay themselves”.
Regarding the issue of sexual abuse by the Catholic Church, Archbishop Américo Aguiar believes that there will be, in Pope Francis’ personal agenda, a time set aside for a meeting with the victims of this abuse. However, this meeting will take place on the sidelines of World Youth Day.
