Friday, August 4, 2023. On the morning of the third day of World Youth Day (WYD) In Lisbon, Pope Francis visited the neighborhoods of Liberdade and Serafina in the Parish of Campolide, next to the Achards Aguas Livres and the Monsanto Forest Park. After his social agenda, the Pontiff wanted to draw attention to the difficulties of the needy.
The residents were euphoric with the presence of the leader of the Catholic Church who asked them not to be discouraged by the social problems they faced.
“Keep ahead and don’t discourage you. And if they are discouraged, drink a glass of water and keep going!” Francisco said.
The visit left a renewed hope to Catholics living in the “Last Favela de Lisbon”, a designation given in 2015 to this housing area by Carmona Rodrigues, former author of the capital, but, almost two years, nothing has changed.
The houses remain without basic habitability conditions. Brick or cement walls, roofs coated with tiles that do not protect from cold or heat. Some residents have no water or channeled bath.
“In 2025 there are still people without bathroom or basic sanitation, who have to do their needs in a bucket and overturned in the street. We still have people living in sites at risk of collapse,” says Catia Appearance, of the Association of Residents of Bairro da Serafina and Liberdade (Ambsl), in statements to Portuguese.
Due to lack of hygiene, there are often qualified infestations. You The residents of these neighborhoods say that the camera forgets them.
“Mr. Engineer Carlos Coins was here, he made immense promises, as others did, but understanding is zero,” says Catia.
On the eve of April 25, the populations of the neighborhoods of La Libertad and Serafina have few reasons to celebrate. Those who live there are waiting for a revolution that gives them a decent life. In the third decade of the 21st century, they are the living example of a peripheral lisbon that is still forgotten, surrounded by housing poverty and all the problems that result in.
The government advances some festive events on April 25
Following Death of Pope Francisthe Government approved under the Council of Ministers declared by the Decree Three days of national mourningto be fulfilled between this Thursday and Saturday.
The presidential minister, António Leitão Amaro, announced that the inaugurations and celebrations related to April are canceled that are the government’s responsibility, emphasizing that the national duel requires reserve. The celebrations of the Carnation Revolution, said Leitão Amaro, move to a “subsequent date.”
One of the affected events is the traditional garden party of the official residence of the Prime Minister: The various activities and concerts That happens in São Bento in the afternoon From the 25th they are postponed until May 1.
Being the Assembly of the Republic “an autonomous agency,” says Leitão Amaro, is the solemn session of April 25 in the Parliament in which the Government will be present.
Criticality of the left
The general secretary of the Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, understands that the postponement of the celebrations of April 25 is “A serious Evaluation of the Portuguese feeling”
It also leaves the criticism of the Ads Executive.
ADVERTISINGRui Tavares considered that the government’s decision is “absolutely shocking, deplorable and unfortunate”, considering that it is a lack of respect for democracy.
“Apello to the government to see the light and I realize that not celebrating democracy in any pretext is a sign of ingratitude,” said the free spokesman.
“Now we have a government that thinks that it should be self -limitation to celebrate what its reason for being.”
