"World Youth Day in Lisbon: A Changing Catholic Church and American Pilgrims"

Pope Francis will visit Portugal for World Youth Day, but he will find a Catholic Church that is losing influence in society. While nearly 80% of Portuguese identify as Catholic, less than 20% attend weekly Mass. The church has also faced challenges due to clergy abuse, with an independent commission finding that over 4,800 children were abused by clergy members since 1950. The pope is expected to meet with abuse victims during his visit. Additionally, the Portuguese Catholic Church has seen its influence wane on cultural and political issues, with the country passing laws liberalizing access to abortion, same-sex marriage, and euthanasia. Despite these challenges, the pope's visit is seen as an opportunity to connect with a new generation and combat societal indifference towards the faith.