Costa believes the Portuguese have reason to be happy with World Youth Day

This Friday, the Prime Minister felt that the Portuguese had “good reasons” to be happy with World Youth Day (WYD) as Portugal once again showed an “extraordinary ability” to organize large events.

“In terms of balance, I believe that we all have good reasons to be happy with what happened, as the country has once again demonstrated an exceptional ability to organize events of this magnitude,” said António Costa.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a visit to the Teatro Nacional D.Maria II factory in Lisbon, the head of government stressed “how everyone contributed” to the WYD.

For António Costa, the messages left by Pope Francis are “particularly important, stimulating and intersecting, certainly for believers, but also for believers of other religions, as well as non-believers.”

“Whether it’s society or those in charge of politics, I think now that the journey is over we have a lot to think about about the message, which fortunately remains,” he thought.

Asked if there will be accountability, Costa said that “every year reporting to the Portuguese, from the very beginning, the General State Account must be presented and approved”, and stressed that the municipalities and state institutions “every year are present and every year they are approved”.

The WYD, which took place last week under the presidency of Pope Francis, was attended by about 1.5 million people in various events that took place in the Eduardo VII Park, in the Belém district and in the Tejo Park, in the territory of the municipalities. Lisbon and Loures, according to the organization.

World Youth Day, the next edition of which will be held in 2027 in Seoul, is considered the largest event of the Catholic Church.