Strikes in Portugal Cast a Shadow Over the Pope's Visit

Teachers, railway workers, police officers, and sanitation workers in Portugal are planning to organize protests and strikes during Pope Francis's visit in August, in an effort to compel the government to raise wages and improve working conditions. Pope Francis is set to visit Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, from August 2 to August 6, to attend World Youth Day, which gathers young Catholics. Portuguese authorities expect around one million people to attend. The Pope will also hold a mass, visit the Catholic shrine at Fatima, located 130 kilometers north of Lisbon, and meet with victims of sexual abuse by clergy.