General NewsLGBTQ peopleLisbonMorePope FrancisPortugalReligionRoman Catholicism Pope presides over solemn Way of the Cross prayer as Portugal government weighs in on LGBTQ+ protest by Lucas Garcia August 6, 2023 written by Lucas Garcia August 6, 2023 0 comment Bookmark 13 Pope Francis led a meditation on violence, poverty, and intolerance during World Youth Day, where around 800,000 people participated. The event took place at Lisbon’s Eduardo VII park and featured the solemn Way of the Cross prayer, a significant part of the youth festival initiated by St. John Paul II in the 1980s to inspire young Catholics. Despite the enthusiasm of the crowd, Pope Francis urged them to reflect on their own sufferings and fears, emphasizing the importance of love and its worthiness as a risk. However, the prayer occurred amidst an incident of intolerance directed at LGBTQ+ pilgrims attending World Youth Day. About 10 people attempted to disrupt a Mass for LGBTQ+ Catholics at a Lisbon church, but the police intervened, leading the protesters away. The Portuguese Socialist government responded by issuing a statement calling for respect for the human rights of LGBTQ+ individuals, highlighting the stigmatization and violence they face based on their sexual orientation and gender identity. Portugal’s center-left government has been an advocate for minority rights and liberal issues, legalizing abortion, gay marriage, and euthanasia in the predominantly Catholic country. Pope Francis, known for his inclusive stance, has welcomed LGBTQ+ Catholics, stating that the church has room for everyone. Despite these efforts, LGBTQ+ individuals still face challenges, as exemplified by the liturgical protest at the Mass. Dignity USA, a group of LGBTQ+ Catholics, reported a mostly positive reception in Lisbon, with some moments of tension. A transgender participant in the Mass, Victoria, expressed the importance of allowing everyone to practice their faith and have a relationship with God, regardless of their sexuality. The incident at the Mass serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles faced by LGBTQ+ Catholics. However, Francis has consistently shown a message of welcome to the LGBTQ+ community and has emphasized their status as children of God. The hope for inclusivity and acceptance remains a key focus in the context of World Youth Day. Table of Contents Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about InclusivityWhat is World Youth Day and who presides over it?How many people attended World Youth Day in Lisbon?What happened during the Way of the Cross prayer?What incident of intolerance occurred during World Youth Day?How does Pope Francis approach LGBTQ+ Catholics?What is the political stance on minority rights in Portugal?How did LGBTQ+ participants feel about their experience at World Youth Day?What are some of the issues addressed in the meditations during the prayer?More about Inclusivity Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Inclusivity What is World Youth Day and who presides over it? World Youth Day is a Catholic youth festival initiated by St. John Paul II in the 1980s to inspire the next generation of Catholics. Pope Francis presides over the event, leading various prayers and meditations. How many people attended World Youth Day in Lisbon? Around 800,000 people participated in the World Youth Day event held in Lisbon’s central Eduardo VII park. What happened during the Way of the Cross prayer? During the solemn Way of the Cross prayer, Pope Francis urged the crowd to reflect on their own sufferings and fears, emphasizing the significance of love as a risk worth taking. What incident of intolerance occurred during World Youth Day? A group of about 10 people disrupted a Mass for LGBTQ+ Catholics at a Lisbon church. The Portuguese government issued a statement calling for respect for the human rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. How does Pope Francis approach LGBTQ+ Catholics? Pope Francis has shown an inclusive stance, welcoming LGBTQ+ Catholics and stating that there is room for everyone in the church. What is the political stance on minority rights in Portugal? Portugal’s center-left Socialist Party has been supportive of minority rights and liberal issues, legalizing abortion, gay marriage, and euthanasia in the country. How did LGBTQ+ participants feel about their experience at World Youth Day? LGBTQ+ Catholics reported mostly positive reception but noted some moments of tension, emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and acceptance. What are some of the issues addressed in the meditations during the prayer? The meditations touched on problems facing young people today, including violence, addiction, social media pressures, broken families, economic crises, intolerance, and alienation. More about Inclusivity “World Youth Day” (Wikipedia) – Link “Pope Francis” (Vatican News) – Link “Portugal’s Center-Left Government and Its Policies” (Euronews) – Link “LGBTQ+ Rights in Portugal” (ILGA Europe) – Link You Might Be Interested In Baltimore block party shooting leaves 2 dead and 28 injured, including 3 critically hurt, police say Release of Body Camera Footage Depicting the Fatal Police Shooting of Pregnant Black Woman Anticipated, Says Ohio Department Over 840,000 Afghan Applicants for Crucial U.S. Resettlement Program Remain in Afghanistan, According to Report COVID-19 Hospitalizations in the US Seeing a Modest Rise, Unlike Previous Occurrences Taliban Leader Claims Women in Afghanistan Enjoy a “Comfortable and Prosperous Life” NatWest Bank’s CEO Departs Amid Controversy over Nigel Farage’s Bank Account CatholicismGeneral NewsHuman rightsinclusivityLGBTQ peopleLGBTQ+ protestLisbonMass incidentPope FrancisPortugalRoman CatholicismtoleranceWorld Youth DayYouth festival Share 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail Lucas Garcia Following Author Lucas Garcia, a seasoned business reporter, brings you the latest updates and trends in finance and economics. 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