Pope Francis is in Portugal for World Youth Day 2023. There, he told thousands of students to aim for inclusivity and economic justice, as well as help preserve the environment.

Hundreds of thousands of young people came to Lisbon, Portugal on Thursday for the event, and it showed that even after 10 years into his papacy, the former Cardinal of Buenos Aires remains as popular as ever.

As Pope Francis made his way through a downtown Lisbon park for the opening ceremony of the Catholic jamboree via the Pope Mobile, pilgrims lined up to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, according to the Associated Press.

The support seems to have rejuvenated Pope Francis, too, as he was hospitalized twice this year for health concerns due to his advanced age. The trip to Portugal is expected to last five days, though the country is currently suffering from soaring temperatures.

The event is currently being held at Eduardo VII Park in Lisbon, with over 500,000 pilgrims from around the world attending the music-and-dance-filled World Youth Day opening ceremony.

Pope Francis also spoke at Catholic University, one of Portugal's top institutions of higher learning. He urged students to take risks and reject the temptation of the "present global system of elitism and inequality." 

"An academic degree should not be seen merely as a license to pursue personal well-being but as a mandate to work for a more just and inclusive - that is, truly progressive - society," he added.

He also urged the youth to protect the environment and stated, "It's important to walk together, resolve crises together and go forward, growing."

He also spread his message about inequality and called for more inclusivity.

READ MORE: Brazil President Lula Offers To Help Free Imprisoned Bishop in Nicaragua After Meeting With Pope Francis

Pope Francis To Visit Our Lady of Fatima While in Portugal

Vatican News reported that Pope Francis is scheduled to do a Way of the Cross with young people at the "so Impèrio" square in Belèm Friday. He will then head to the "de Serafina" parish center to meet with representatives of several charities before having lunch with the youth at the Apostolic Nunciature before presiding over a Station of the Cross himself at the Eduardo VII Park.

On Saturday, however, he will visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima. He will also go to the Fatima Stadium before returning to Lisbon for several meetings. 

The pope will conclude his Portugal visit with a mass to end World Youth Day before heading back to Rome.

Pope Francis Urged Russia To Restore Black Sea Grain Deal

Before he left for Portugal to attend World Youth Day, Pope Francis called on Russia to reverse its decision to abandon the Black Sea grain deal.

According to Reuters, the deal allowed Ukraine to export grain from its seaports despite the war still going on. Russia backed out of the deal before saying the country's "demands to ease sanctions on its own grain and fertilizer exports had not been met."

"I appeal to my brothers, the authorities of the Russian Federation, so that the Black Sea initiative may be resumed and grain may be transported safely," said the Argentina-born pope during his weekly message.

READ MORE: Pope Francis Wants Cuba to Release Cuban Protesters Arrested in 2021

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: LIVE WYD Lisbon 2023 | Welcome ceremony with Pope Francis at World Youth Day | August 3rd, 2023 - EWTN