The Lisbon Chamber will grant employees of the municipality a leave of absence on 4 August to take part in World Youth Day (WYD) and recommends working remotely from 31 July to 3 August.
“As part of the apostolic journey of His Holiness Pope Francis on the occasion of the World Youth Day to be held in Lisbon, and in order for the employees of the municipality to join in the celebration of this important and unique event for our city, I am giving the employees of the municipality of Lisbon a day off on August 4th” , says the decree signed today by the mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas (PSD).
In accordance with the order, to which Lusa had access, workers responsible for services considered essential and in which the nature of the functions does not allow them to take a day off on this day will be able to take advantage of the measure “on the date to be agreed with the relevant manager.”
In this context, the Mayor takes the opportunity to praise and thank the employees of the municipality who are helping to ensure that “Lisbon is recognized as a welcoming city for people from all over the world.”
“From July 31 to August 3, workers who are not part of the task forces supporting the event, and whose functions allow it, should practice remote work in order to rationalize traffic in the city of Lisbon,” recommends the mayor.
In total, the municipality of Lisbon employs about 10,000 people.
Lisbon has been chosen by Pope Francis to host the next WYD, considered the largest event of the Catholic Church, which will take place from 1 to 6 August and is expected to attract around 1.5 million people.
The main WYD ceremonies will take place in Parque Eduardo VII and Tejo Park, north of the Parque des Nations, on the banks of the Tagus River, on the lands of the municipalities of Lisbon and Loures.
August 4 (Friday), according to the program of the Apostolic visit of the Pope to Portugal, confession of some young people of WYD is expected in Lisbon, at 09:00, in Praça do Imperio.
At 09:45 there will be a meeting with representatives of some social and charitable assistance centers, in the parish center of Serafina, then lunch with youth, at 12:00 – at the Apostolic Nunciature, Station of the Cross with youth, at 18:00, in the Edward VII park, with a speech by Pope Francis.
This year, WYD, which will be closed by the Pope, was originally scheduled for 2022 but has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.