SW News: In an interview with Vatican media, the Portuguese envoy to the Holy See has said that his nation is gearing up for the upcoming World Youth Day celebrations in Lisbon from August 1 to 6. Domingos Fezas Vital, the Ambassador to the Vatican, said that Portugal is “getting ready as a whole, including families and the youth” for the mega event touted to be the biggest gathering of young believers in the Catholic sphere.

Almost 400,000 young people are expected to converge on the shores of the Tagus River in the Portuguese capital for the 37th edition of WYD. Ambassador Vital said the Portuguese feel an immense sense of responsibility given the magnitude of the upcoming event.

Regarding WYD, Vital said it has to be viewed “as a sign of hope in a better world, more just and more sustainable”. He also spoke about peace in the time of conflict in the background of the event. “Portugal believes that the best guarantee of peace for the world is the respect for the UN rules and commitments to each other that all countries have endorsed,” he said, adding that if “we all respect them, we will have peace.”

He also spoke about his nation’s liberal attitude regarding the issue of migrants. He said this issue is connected with the wars that are raging around the world. “We also strongly believe that more support has to be provided to the countries of origin” of the migrants.

WYD Lisbon was originally scheduled to be held in 2022. However, the pandemic curbs and their repercussions forced organizers to reschedule it by a year. The stage meant for the papal event at WYD is almost complete and so are the other amenities at the various venues.

Thousands of believers have already registered as volunteers and an equal number of families have expressed willingness to host the pilgrims arriving from all corners of the globe.