Recalling that Our Lady's apparitions to the little shepherds occurred "during the terrible First World War", the prelate said that, for this reason, "war, hatred, attacks and the desire for repression and domination over people and nations are at the very heart of the message of Fatima".

"We are particularly concerned about the savage and dramatic situation in the Gaza Strip and in Ukraine, as well as others in Yemen, Sudan, and Congo", said José Ornelas, who, at the press conference preceding the opening of the anniversary pilgrimage of May 12 and 13 to the sanctuary, also remembered the victims of natural disasters that have occurred in recent days.

Thus, he expressed "solidarity with the victims of the natural disasters in Brazil, Afghanistan and other countries in the world, which call for solidarity and closeness to the victims of so much suffering, also drawing attention to climate change, greatly increased by human action, which contributes so much to the destructive dimension of these phenomena".

José Ornelas, on the day the Catholic Church celebrates Social Communications Day, also greeted journalists, emphasizing "their importance, particularly in these times when information is silenced, persecuted and denied to entire peoples, as a way of hiding the cry of those who suffer injustice, discrimination and exploitation".

"I particularly remember the approximately 100 journalists killed in 2023, 70 of whom were in the Gaza Strip, and many more have been killed in the first months of this year. May their courage in the service of justice and abused dignity hasten the day of peace and reconstruction", he wished.

At the conference, which was also attended by Cardinal Juan José Omella, archbishop of Barcelona who presides over the pilgrimage, and the rector of the sanctuary, Carlos Cabecinhas, the bishop of Leiria-Fátima also made a point of leaving a word to the migrants who, all over the world, "risk everything to find living conditions and dignity for themselves and their families".

Today's and Monday's pilgrimage is the first anniversary of 2024 to the Sanctuary of Fatima, marking the 107th anniversary of the first apparition.

The official ceremonies of the pilgrimage begin at 9:30 pm, with the recitation of the rosary and the candlelight procession, followed by the celebration of the Word, at the altar of the enclosure, presided over by Cardinal Juan José Omella.

After this ceremony, there will be a night of prayer vigil, which precedes the Eucharistic procession at 7:00 am on Monday, followed by the recitation of the rosary and international mass, starting at 10:00 am, ending with the traditional Farewell procession.

According to the Sanctuary of Fatima, in addition to the Spanish cardinal and the Apostolic Nuncio in Portugal, Ivo Scapolo, 18 bishops will be present at the ceremonies.

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