Marcelo recalls Francisco, « a late but intense friend of our nation »

The President of the Republic spoke, early Monday night, to the country, following the death of Pope Francis, a « late but intense friend of our nation. »

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa regrets that Francisco I have discovered Fatima “afternoon in his life, in 2017,” but managed a closer relationship with Portugal, “in the World Youth Day, less than two years ago”.

“Of these and other meetings, such as 2016, 2019, 2021, I will keep, keep, the humility of the parish priest never surrendered to the robes of the Bishop, the Cardinal, the Pope,” said Marcelo.

“Simple, open, generous, comprehensive, supportive and also pletory of life and shared joy,” Marcelo describes. « It was perhaps the brave voice of the spiritual leaders of the last 12 years in defending human dignity, peace, justice, freedom, equality, fraternity, dialogue between cultures, the poorest, fragile, suffering, sacrificed, excluded and exploited, rejected and forgotten of this time of interest and selfishness that has always been guided. »

« On behalf of all the Portuguese, believers and non -believers, agreement or disagreements, I thank Francisco the affection to Portugal, » Marcelo continued, especially « his presence alongside those who die victims of the daily denials of human rights, abuse and arrogance of all nature. »