The pope is coming

[Clark]

Just read that Pope Francis be visiting Fatima next week. He's expected to draw around 400k attendees. If you're walking from Lisbon you might want to consider some alternatives for staying in the area or changing your path to get away from the crowd. Unlikely you'll find anywhere to stay.

Other than that, though
Buen Camino!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

According the Katholic newspaper He will visit Fatima on 12 and 13 May.

Wish you well,Peter.

 

[Anamya]

We met a fair few pilgrims going to Fatima from Santiago on our Camino Portugues. Considering the timeframe, I believe they intended to arrive a few days before the Pope's visit.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I think people have been planning for that for months and months.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

The visit was official announced on 18 december last year.

 

[Hiawatha]

Do you see any ramifications for the Frances because of this visit ?

 

[Playful Dread]

We've been catching bits on news channels in bars but we were unawares of the reason for seeing all these people walking to Fatima. It was only a few days ago we realised ourselves the pope was visiting Portugal.

We're resting in Caminha at present waiting till Sunday when the ferry service is back on so we can cross into Spain. It's the only thing we've run into at present that's been effected by thr pope's visit as all services are suspended until then.

Bom Caminho

 

[JCLima]

We've been catching bits on news channels in bars but we were unawares of the reason for seeing all these people walking to Fatima. It was only a few days ago we realised ourselves the pope was visiting Portugal.

The reason for all those people is not necessarily the Pope but the 100th anniversary of the apparitions of Fátima. People would still go even if the Pope was not coming.

 

[Saranger]

We crossed from Valenca do Minho into Spain at Tui a few days (May 10) and whom we saw long lines at the border of people and vehicles coming into Portugal, there were no checks on people leaving on their way to Spain.