- Title: Catholics, awaiting pope, struggle as Lisbon temperatures soar
- Date: 5th August 2023
- Summary: LISBON, PORTUGAL (AUGUST 5, 2023) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF WATER TANKER SPRAYING PILGRIMS WITH WATER YOUNG MOTHER HOLDING BABY PILGRIMS VARIOUS OF PILGRIM INSIDE MEDICAL TENT VARIOUS OF PILGRIM COOLING DOWN WITH HAND FANS INSIDE MEDICAL TENT (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LUCIA SOTO, PILGRIM, SAYING: "The truth is that we are very hot. We have been here since 1 p.m., more or less, and the truth is that we really want to see the pope and we will do whatever it takes, but it is very hot." (SOUNDBITE) (English) MARK XAVIEP, PILGRIM, SAYING: "It's not my first World Youth so I'm pretty accustomed to the sufferings of the World Youth Day. I'm surprised nobody has yet fainted because I'm pretty sure they will because today it's 40C (104F), I heard, and tomorrow (will be) 42 (107.6)." (SOUNDBITE) (English) JETHRO, PILGRIM, SAYING: "I'm relaxed. Actually I was (dressed in) full black and all of that. I had to change because of the heat. Sunblock and water. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate." (SOUNDBITE) (English) CATARINA DALFO, PILGRIM, SAYING: "With his beautiful hat and a lot of spirit and water on my face and all over my body." (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) SUSANA BETTENCOURT, PILGRIM, SAYING: "As you can see, we are setting up (tents). People are setting up their own makeshift tents, umbrellas, etc. It's all worth it to wait for the pope. Also because it is unprecedented to have Pope Francis here." PILGRIM WITH SLEEPING BAG OVER THEIR HEADS PILGRIM FANNING HIMSELF PILGRIMS UNDER MAKESHIFT TENT PILGRIM APPLYING SUN BLOCK VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS AT WATER POINT FILLING BOTTLES (SOUNDBITE) (Portuguese) DOCTOR AT AMBULANCE SERVICE INEM, FILIPA TERE, SAYING: "At the (medical) tent so far, the type of cases we have had are light situations mainly related to insect bites, and the reactions to that, or indisposition due to the heat or lack of food or the combination of both. Maybe some tiredness too. It is usual in these situations." PILGRIM FILLING UP WATER BOTTLE VARIOUS OF PILGRIMS IN THE SHADELESS PARK PILGRIMS THROWING WATER AT EACH OTHERS
- Embargoed: 19th August 2023 18:10
- Keywords: Heat Heat in Lisbon Heat in Portugal Pope Francis WYD World Youth Day hot weather weather
- Location: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- City: LISBON, PORTUGAL
- Country: Portugal
- Topics: Environment,Europe,Temperature
- Reuters ID: LVA001247305082023RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Under a burning sun, hundreds of thousands of Catholics battled on Saturday (August 5) to keep cool with water sprays, fans and improvised tents at a massive shadeless outdoor venue in Lisbon where Pope Francis will hold an evening vigil.
Francis arrived in Lisbon on Wednesday for a week-long series of events surrounding World Youth Day, a large gathering of young Catholics that takes place every two to three years in a different city.
Temperatures on Saturday reached 38 Celsius (100.4 Fahrenheit) in Lisbon but were expected to rise to 41C on Sunday, the last day of Francis' visit, according to the state weather agency. August is usually the hottest month of the year in Portugal.
Friday's vigil will take place on the riverside Parque Tejo, a new venue covering 100 hectares (250 acres) created for the event. It has no trees or shade structures, but organizers set up fountains for participants to refill their water bottles and gave them hats.
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