President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal extended a heartfelt invitation to Pope Leo, hoping he would visit in 2027 to mark the 110th anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima. Although the Pope has yet to respond to the invitation, Rebelo de Sousa remains optimistic. During their meeting at the Apostolic Palace, the President also discussed the devastating impact of Storm Kristin, which struck central Portugal on January 28, and expressed deep gratitude for the Pope's comforting letter and blessings for the affected communities. In a gesture of solidarity, the Pope sent a telegram to the Portuguese Episcopal Conference, sharing his sorrow for the lives lost and uniting in spirit with grieving families. As tokens of appreciation, Rebelo de Sousa presented the Pope with a 17th-century Portuguese miniature of Saint Augustine, elegantly framed in 18th-century gilded wood by Branca Franco, along with the book Ten Years for Portugal, a photographic chronicle of his presidency.

322