SW News: Pope Francis was given a rousing welcome at the historic presidential Belem palace in Lisbon on Wednesday, August 2 by President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa. After arriving from the airport in the popemobile, the pope was greeted at the entrance of the palace by the president and escorted to the special pavilion for the official welcome ceremony.

The military band played the Portuguese national anthem “Herois do Mar” and the Vatican anthem “Marche Pontificale” which were followed by the guard of honor. The Holy Father was accompanied by the Vatican entourage including Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States within the Holy See's Secretariat of State and other prominent members of the Roman Curia and heads of dicasteries. With the official welcome ceremony, the pontiff began his 42nd Apostolic Visit abroad.

He was then greeted by members of the Cabinet and the service chiefs before being taken to the palace for the courtesy visit to the head of state. Pope Francis was taken in a wheelchair to the main hall of the palace escorted by President de Sousa where he signed the guest book. After the signing of the book, the pope and the prime minister went for a closed-door discussion on bilateral issues.

Earlier during the day, the Holy Father was given a rousing welcome at the Figo Maduro Airbase in Lisbon by President Sousa, government dignitaries and the ecclesiastical delegation led by Cardinal Manuel Clemente of Lisbon. He alighted from the ITA Airways flight using a hydraulic lift to be welcomed by the president himself. A Portuguese boy and girl accorded a traditional welcome to the pontiff with a bouquet.

On the tarmac, the Holy Father was given a ceremonial guard of honor and he was greeted by members of the cabinet and the bishops before being taken to the presidential palace in the popemobile. Crowds gathered on either side of the highway as his motorcade made its way to the palace.