Marcelo made the last speech of April 25 as President of the Republic

It began by remembering the « contribution » of Ramalho Eanes, thanking his presence as well as that of the April captains and deputies of the Constituent.

The head of state also took the opportunity to highlight the fact that this is the first time that the celebration has happened to a “dissolved parliament” and in the middle of national mourning, following the death of Pope Francis.

« April 25 was born in a very tense social environment, » he said, questioning: « How not to find in Francisco’s appeals some of the same dramas? »

The President of the Republic addressed the issue of immigrants with “suppressed” rights and freedom and compared the concerns expressed by Pope Francis with the April struggles.

And he recalled Francisco’s appeal to « total detachment, » « without refusal, without intolerance, without borders between pure and impure. »

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa also argued that the celebration of April 25 should be « more incarnation than mission affirmation already served. More future than past, so that the fundamental with the accessory is not confused. »

Finally, he said: “April 25, always, the full and uncompleted hug to all the people and the radical humility that taught us Francis,” he ends.