How Pope Francis and the 25th of April Revolution Are Interconnected: Insights from Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa

Celebrating 51 Years of the April 25 Revolution

In the Portuguese parliament, 51 years of the April 25, 1974 revolution are celebrated amidst national mourning for the death of Pope Francis. This day also marks 50 years since the first constituent assembly.

Key Highlights from the Ceremonies

The session began with a moment of silence for the late Pope, led by José Pedro Aguiar-Branco, the President of the Assembly of the Republic. He emphasized that the crisis of democracy stems from the inability to show results, urging politicians to be more than mere analysts of reality. Aguiar-Branco called for a focus on consensus rather than division, stressing that democracy weakens when principles are abandoned.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's Tribute to Pope Francis

President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, in his last speech during the April 25 ceremony, praised Pope Francis, stating, "What connects Francisco to the April 25 revolution? Everything." He highlighted values such as human dignity, peace, justice, freedom, equality, solidarity, and humility. He encouraged a future-oriented approach, stating that the spirit of April 25 should align with the spirit of the Pope, emphasizing the importance of embracing all people and acknowledging shared values.

Political Reactions and Critiques

Pedro Nuno Santos, the opposition leader, criticized the cancellation of celebrations, calling it a disrespect to the Portuguese people. He highlighted the disconnect of the government from public sentiment, asserting that today, the people are in the streets while the government observes from afar.

André Ventura of Chega deviated from the celebratory tone, demanding solutions for Portugal rather than symbolic gestures. He criticized the handling of immigration and the perceived threats to women's safety.

Mariana Mortágua from the Left Bloc warned against rising extremism and declared the importance of remembering the values of April. She expressed gratitude to the captains of April for their fight against fascism.

Isabel Mendes Lopes from Livre insisted that celebrating April 25 cannot be postponed, reaffirming the importance of civic participation and the right to vote.

The Day's Events

Despite the national mourning, the traditional popular parade in Lisbon is set to take place, gathering thousands in celebration of freedom and democracy. The Association 25 de Abril has called for participation, emphasizing that the spirit of the Pope aligns with the values celebrated on this day.

The government clarified that while national mourning is observed, it does not impose restrictions on the celebrations, thus allowing for a full expression of democratic values on this significant date.