Hundreds of thousands of devotees gathered at the sanctuary of Fatima in Portugal on Monday to pray for newly-appointed Pope Leo XIV and global peace. Church officials reported that about 270,000 pilgrims traveled from across Portugal, Spain, Poland, and countries as far as the U.S., Paraguay, Mauritius, and Taiwan to be part of this significant event, which took place less than 150 kilometers north of Lisbon.
Pope Leo XIV, who recently took office following the death of Pope Francis, addressed the crowds in St. Peter’s Square during his first Sunday as pontiff, advocating for peace and urging world powers to refrain from warfare. The day following his address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy shared that he spoke with the Pope regarding ceasefire proposals aimed at ending the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Among attendees, 77-year-old Portuguese pilgrim Conceicao Teixeira expressed her hope that Pope Leo will continue the legacy of empathy and sincerity set by his predecessor. Many gathered for the candlelight procession at the shrine, which commemorates the reported apparitions of the Virgin Mary to three shepherd children in 1917—a message that the Catholic Church interprets as a call for peace.
Pilgrims from various nations expressed optimism about Pope Leo’s leadership, with Christel, a 41-year-old from Mauritius, noting that he seems committed to fostering peace. Paraguayan Oscar Guarin echoed these sentiments, perceiving Leo as a figure close to the impoverished and one who carries a simplicity reminiscent of Pope Francis.
This moment at Fatima not only highlights a historic convergence of faith but also underscores a collective yearning for peace in a turbulent world. The hope expressed by pilgrims for Pope Leo’s guidance reflects a longing for renewal within the Catholic Church and a commitment to addressing global challenges with compassion.
As the Catholic community transitions into this new chapter under Pope Leo XIV, the messages of peace and unity resonate strongly, evoking a shared aspiration for a more compassionate future. The overwhelming turnout at Fatima signifies a hopeful response to the call for dialogue and healing in both local and global contexts.
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