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Inside the VaticanAugust 04, 2023
Pope Francis greets young people as he arrives in the popemobile for the World Youth Day welcome ceremony at Eduardo VII Park in Lisbon, Portugal, Aug. 3, 2023. (CNS photo/Lola Gomez)

America editor Ricardo da Silva, S.J., and Vatican correspondent Gerard O’Connell report from Lisbon on the opening of World Youth Day in this special episode of "Inside the Vatican."

[Listen and subscribe to “Inside the Vatican” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

An energized Pope Francis arrived yesterday, Aug. 2, giving a speech to Portuguese civic leaders in which he urged them to invest in young people and work for peace, especially in Ukraine. He also celebrated vespers and met with a group of survivors of clerical sexual abuse.

The pope is scheduled to participate in several more World Youth Day events and travel to Fatima, where he is again expected to pray for peace in Ukraine.

Links from the show:

Ricardo da Silva, S.J.: How reporting from World Youth Day is reinvigorating my faith

James Martin, S.J.: ‘Does God exist?’ and other FAQs about faith and religion (World Youth Day address)

Ricardo da Silva, S.J.: Ahead of World Youth Day, the head of the Jesuits had a candid Q&A with six young pilgrims

Gerard O’Connell: In Portugal, Pope Francis challenges Europe to invest in young people, not weapons

Catholic News Service: As sex abuse crisis hits Portugal, Pope Francis says listen to the ‘anguished cry of the victims’

Gerard O’Connell: Pope Francis to university students in Portugal: Your degree is a mandate to work for a better society.

Follow Gerry on Twitter: @gerryorome

Follow Ricardo on Twitter: @ricdssj

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