Welcome to the Official page of the Presidency of the Portuguese Republic

Concerning the Visit to Portugal of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, between 11 and 14 May 2010, the Presidency of the Republic publishes the following communiqué:

"It was with great satisfaction that the Presidency of the Republic received formal notice, through the note of the Holy See, transmitted by the Apostolic Nuncio’s office in Lisbon, of the agreement of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI to the Programme submitted him for the Visit he will hold to Portugal between 11 and 14 May next.

The Programme will include visits to Lisbon, Fátima and Porto.

His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will arrive in Lisbon on 11 May, and will stay in the Portuguese capital until the afternoon of 12 May. On the first day, the programme will include a meeting with the President of the Republic, in the Palace of Belém, after the welcoming ceremonies in the airport and in the Jerónimos Monastery. The Holy Father will later preside at the Holy Mass which will be held in Terreiro do Paço. On 12 May, he will meet individualities related to Portuguese culture and will receive, in audience, the Prime Minister.

In Fátima, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will preside at the Religious Celebrations held on 12 and 13 May, and will hold meetings with Priests, Religious Persons, Religious College Residents and Deacons, with the organizations of the Social Pastoral and with the Portuguese Bishops.

Finally, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI will visit Porto where, on 14 May, he will preside at Holy Mass held on Avenida dos Aliados, thus closing the Programme of His Visit to our Country."