Pope Francis is spending five days in Portugal, also visiting the Catholic shrine of Fatima. More than one million young people from all over the world are expected to attend the World Youth Summit, the highlight of the event will be the Pope's Sunday mass.

Europe must regain its role as a peacemaker and bridge builder - the Holy Father called on Wednesday, arriving at the opening of the Catholic Church's World Youth Meeting in Portugal, where he urged the young generation of believers to overcome conflicts and work together.

During his flight to Lisbon, the head of the church emphasized that he still wants to encourage young people to "not be afraid to stir up the stagnant water", referring to his first speech at the World Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 2013, in which he spoke about his own church reforms.

The head of the church's first stop was the National Palace in Belém, west of Lisbon, which is the official residence of the president and was once the starting point of the famous Portuguese sea voyages of discovery. Citing Portugal's maritime history, the Pope drew attention to openness to others in his opening speech to government officials and the diplomatic corps.

"We are sailing in the midst of storms on the ocean of history, and we feel that we need courageous peace marches," he said, adding that he hopes the World Youth Summit can give the old continent a new impetus on the road to universal openness.

Remembering Russia's war in Ukraine, global warming and Europe's demographic decline, he urged the youth to take part in building a new future. "I dream of a Europe that uses its enormous talent to resolve conflicts and light the lamp of hope. Of a Europe that can rediscover its young heart and look beyond short-term needs to the grandeur of wholeness. About a Europe that unites nations and people, without chasing ideologies," said the head of the church.

On Wednesday, the Pope traveled to the 16th-century St. Jerome Monastery, Portugal's most famous monument, where he met with Portuguese Catholic organizations.

The heat can be a real problem during the five-day visit, with temperatures reaching 35 degrees Celsius in Lisbon on Sunday. From Saturday afternoon, many young people are expected in Tejo Park, where they will participate in an evening vigil, and then listen to Pope Francis' Sunday morning mass on the spot. The organizers installed 32 water tanks with 640 taps to fill water bottles, and the Lisbon City Council doubled the number of drinking fountains in the city to 400.

Although participants will receive reusable water bottles and hats, many are more concerned about the pope, knowing that the 86-year-old head of state spent nine days in the hospital in June.

For the first time since his abdominal surgery in June, the Pope undertook to travel.

MTI