Pope Francis arrives for World Youth Day celebrations in Portugal

Pope Francis is greeted by Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa as he arrives for his five-day visit (Gregorio Borgia/AP)

Pope Francis arrived in Portugal to open the first edition of World Youth Day since pandemic forced the cancellation of large gatherings, hoping to inspire the next generation of Catholics while coping with the church’s ongoing clergy sexual abuse scandal.

More than one million young people from around the world are expected to attend the gathering in Lisbon, which takes place over several days.