Cost of World Youth Day in Lisbon causes controversy in Portugal

The cost of organising the WYD is causing strong criticism in Portugal. However, the event is an opportunity for the country, which will benefit from a significant return on investment, explain the public authorities.

WYD "not very Catholic"? This is the accusation made by Courrier International, which is relaying a controversy that has been growing for several days in Portugal. Indeed, the costs incurred to organise the event would be unreasonable in relation to the delicate economic situation of the country. Very high figures are mentioned but must be put into perspective, the public authorities are trying to reassure. The Portuguese economy could receive a return on investment that is more than twice the amount spent.

In total, the Portuguese government and the municipality of Lisbon have committed more than 155 million euros. The price of the construction of a huge stage to be used during the final ceremony is the main focus of criticism. This 9-metre high podium, from which Pope Francis will celebrate the closing mass of the WYD, will accommodate no less than 2,000 people. Its price tag? More than 5 million euros... Like many European countries, Portugal is in a delicate economic situation since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. This explains the protests of a part of public opinion.

WYD in "simplicity and humility"

It should be remembered that the costs incurred by the government and the municipality will not be lost. For example, more than 20 million euros will be allocated to the rehabilitation of the Parque Urbano Tejo-Trancao where the closing Mass will be held. Rehabilitation of a landfill, construction of a bridge, sanitation infrastructures, water and electricity supply, these are works that will be useful to the Portuguese people long after the WYD. "This is an opportunity to rehabilitate an area of the city of Lisbon that has been disqualified," said Filipe Anacoreta Correia, vice-president of Lisbon City Council.

The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo, a fervent Catholic, intervened as the controversy grew. He recalled the importance of organising a WYD "in simplicity and humility", in line with the "thought" of Pope Francis. The President also recalled how important this event was for the image of Portugal. For his part, Marques Mendes, former president of the Portuguese Social Democratic Party, blasted the detractors of WYD: "We have a national tradition that is a great vice: when there is an important event in Portugal, it is usually strongly criticised at the beginning and loudly applauded at the end."

A significant return on investment expected

As it happens, the WYD in Portugal is suffering from the comparison with the WYD in Madrid in 2011. At that time, Spain, which was also experiencing great economic difficulties, had officially spent around 50 million euros on the organisation of the event. This was three times less than Portugal. This sum had already provoked the ire of a section of public opinion at the time.

The Mayor of Madrid, Isabel Diaz Ayuso, recalled all the benefits that the city had derived from the organisation of the WYD. "It was a blessing," she said. The return on investment had been 7 to 1, with the event generating at least 350 million euros.

This is the main argument used by the organisers of the Lisbon WYD: 1.5 to 2 million young people are expected in the city, a boon for Portugal. We cannot look at this event only from the point of view of costs," says Filipe Anchoreta Correia. You have to think about the economic return! If we welcome 1.5 million people for a week who will spend an average of 200 euros each, the return will be 200 to 300 million euros for the economy! That is twice the amount invested by Portugal. So rather than being a useless expense, isn't WYD a boon for the Portuguese economy?

Source

"In Portugal, the dogma of the Faith will always be preserved"  Phrase added by Lucia to her 4th Memoir, after the transcription of the 2nd Secret of Our Lady of Fatima.  I am not sure how WYD contributes to this....