Symbols of World Youth Day walked the streets of Porto

The symbols of World Youth Day – pilgrim cross and the Marian icon (Blessed Mother Salus Populi Romani, which portrays the Virgin Mary with the Child in her arms) – walked, this Saturday, through some areas of the city, with a visit to some neighbourhoods, the firefighters and the renewed Bolhão Market. There was also a Way of the Cross, led by young people from the parishes of the city, lived by more than half a thousand worshippers and preceded by a special celebration with homeless people in the Church of the Santíssima Trindade.

The first passage of the symbols was through the renewed Bolhão market, in a meeting with sellers and customers. The pilgrim cross and the Marian icon were placed on the central staircase and were observed by all the people, while songs sounded to liven up the morning of the market.

This was followed by a visit to the neighbourhoods of Falcão, in Campanhã, and Amial, in Paranhos, and the Fire station Sapadores Bombeiros do Porto, in a large space where the cross and the icon and the firefighters' cars lived together.

“We thank [the firefighters] for their availability and service to life and people,” said the auxiliary bishop of Porto, D. Pio Alves, at the exact moment when the alarm sounded and the dozens of firefighters present at the ceremony rushed out to save lives. “You do your job without looking at skin colour, creed, or thoughts. Only based on human dignity”, he added.

From there, the cross and the icon followed in procession, in a truck, to Avenida dos Aliados, where they were received in apotheosis at a youth party. General Humberto Delgado Square was a space for some testimonies and interventions, including that of the Youth Councilwoman, Catarina Araújo. A moment of excitement with the performance of Banda Filarmónica da Foz, Cavaquinhos do Marquês and Banda Follow Him.

The two symbols of World Youth Day began their pilgrimage in the diocese of Porto, on the 1st day of the month, after being delivered by the diocese of Vila Real, through a trip in a rabelo boat in the Douro River, from Peso da Régua to the Ribeira pier.

The World Youth Day is scheduled to take place between 1 and 6 August 2023 in Lisbon, and will be closed by Pope Francis.