SW News: Pope Francis made a visit to the Centro Paroquial de Serafina in Lisbon on Friday, August 4, to listen to the testimonies of representatives of Catholic charities. In his exhortation to the congregation, the pope stressed three aspects—doing good together, acting concretely, and being close to the weakest.

 “Live, help and love together: young people and adults, healthy and sick… together,” the pope told the representatives of charities. He said one should not be defined by an ailment. “Make it a living part of the contribution we make to the whole, to the community,” he said.

He said it was good to be in Lisbon in the context of World Youth Day and added that everyone should look at the Virgin Mary who arose and went to meet St Elizabeth. The Holy Father said that charity is the origin and goal of the Christian journey. He also thanked all those who gave their testimonies.

Pope Francis also reminded everyone that the Church is not an archeological museum after taking inspiration from Pope John XXIII. The Church “is the ancient village fountain that provides water for the people of today’s generations, as it did to those of the past”.

The pontiff added that the fountain is used to quench the “thirst of the people who walk with the real weight and concrete fatigue of their path! Therefore, it is necessary to implement, pay attention to the ‘here and now’, as you already do with care for details and practical sense, beautiful virtues typical of the Portuguese people”, the pontiff added.

The Holy Father then went on to dwell on love. He said there is no abstract love. Instead, there is concrete love. “Platonic love is in orbit, not in reality. Concrete love is the one that gets your hands dirty.”

When the Holy Father arrived at the Serafina Parish Center, its head Canon Francisco Crespo expressed his gratitude for the visit of the pope. He said that gesture filled everyone with great joy and encouraged them to do more for those who need the love of Jesus. He said the parish center today serves 800 destitute and sick with the assistance of 170 employees.

During the interaction with charity organizations’ delegates, the Vatican entourage along with the President of the Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa were present.

After the interaction, he blessed members of the children’s choirs and also briefly interacted with the sick and the infirm in the parish church next door. Earlier during the day, he administered the sacrament of Reconciliation to young people at the Confessional Field in Lisbon.