Apostolic Journey to Portugal
on the occasion of the 10th Anniversary
of the Beatification of Jacinta and Francisco,
young shepherds of Fátima(11-14 May 2010)

On May 11, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI arrived at Lisbon International Airport to begin his four-day apostolic journey to Portugal. The highlight of his trip will be a pilgrimage to the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima, to celebrate the 93rd anniversary of the first apparition of Our Lady of Fatima to three shepherd children, Lucia dos Santos and her cousins Francisco and Jacinta Marto.

The Holy Father's pilgrimage also coincides with the tenth anniversary of the beatification of Francisco and Jacinta.

Arriving in Lisbon, Pope Benedict declared, "I come as a pilgrim to Our Lady of Fatima, invested from on high with the mission of confirming my brothers and sisters as they advance on their own pilgrimage towards heaven," adding "The Virgin Mary came from heaven to remind us of the truths of the Gospel which for humankind—lacking in love and without hope of salvation—represent a source of hope."
Discussing the relationship between Church and state in Portugal, long one of the most devoutly Catholic countries in Europe but currently experiencing unprecedented secularization, Pope Benedict noted that "Living in a plurality of value systems and ethical structures makes it necessary to journey to the core of one's own self and to the nucleus of Christianity in order to reinforce the quality of our witness unto sanctity, and to discover the paths of the mission that lead even to the radical choice of martyrdom."

There are lessons in the Holy Father's words for the rest of the world as well. In a time when we cannot count on public support for the truth of Christianity, we must turn more fully to the truth of the Gospel and work to strengthen the Christian life of our families, parishes, and ultimately the Church as a whole.