The government has declared three days of national mourning following the death of Pope Francis. The decision, formalized yesterday by the Council of Ministers, has sparked criticism from the opposition. The announcement coincided with the cancellation of the “festive agenda” for the April 25 celebrations.
The declaration was made by the Minister of the Presidency, António Leitão Amaro, who noted that alongside the postponement of the April 25 celebrations, there would also be an implication of “reservation in the celebrations” of Liberty Day.
“We communicated to the organizing entities (…) that we will not participate in those celebration events in this period, which is a period of genuine and profound homage,” he stated at a press conference following the Council of Ministers.
Regarding the solemn session on April 25 in Parliament, Leitão Amaro emphasized that the Assembly of the Republic “is an autonomous body” and that the government will be present at this ceremony.
Later on Thursday afternoon, the government issued a clarification, asserting that “it did not recommend the cancellation of any commemorative sessions for April 25, in which it has always stated that it will participate.”
From “offense” to the Pope’s legacy to a “gross mistake”
The opposition leader, Pedro Nuno Santos, stated that the AD Executive “made a gross mistake” by misjudging the sentiments of the Portuguese when it suspended events and canceled the “festive agenda.” “It devalued what is a very important date for the Portuguese and did not understand that commemorating April 25 does not disrespect the memory of Pope Francis. Pope Francis was a lover of freedom and equality, the values we celebrate in April,” he said while speaking to journalists in Porto.
The socialist further argued that the “best response to a government that devalues April 25 is for the Portuguese people to participate enthusiastically and massively in the celebrations.”
Mariana Mortágua, the coordinator of the Left Bloc, also spoke against the government’s decision, arguing that the celebration
“It is on the 25th, marking 51 years of the Revolution and 50 years of universal suffrage. We did not delay the end of the dictatorship, and we will not postpone the first day of democracy. Celebrating freedom on the right day respects those who did good for the world,” Mortágua wrote on the social network X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
Today, she further accused the government of “disrespect for Freedom Day.”
The leader of the Livre party, Rui Tavares, also criticized the executive led by Luís Montenegro, urging the government to see “the light and understand that failing to celebrate democracy under any pretext is a sign of ingratitude.”
The that the decision demonstrates “a singular lack of respect for democracy and April 25,” especially in the year marking 50 years of the first free elections in Portugal.
“Now, we have a government that believes it should self-limit in celebrating what is its raison d’être. It is absolutely shocking, deplorable, and lamentable,” he stated.
The Portuguese Communist Party also argued that Pope Francis is not honored by canceling April 25 celebrations, but rather by reaffirming the values of peace and justice, which guided his actions and are also values of the April Revolution.”
On Thursday, Defense Minister Nuno Melo was questioned about the limits and restrictions and the criticisms. Upon leaving the Apostolic Nunciature, where he signed the condolence book for the Pope, who passed away at 88, Melo refrained from commenting on the decision: “I won’t taint this moment with any other subject, especially not a political one, which will certainly have its time for that purpose.”
Also today, Vasco Lourenço, a former military officer in the Armed Forces Movement and president of the April 25 Association, criticized the decision.
“I greatly respect Pope Francis. I consider him a man of April. Canceling a celebration [that is] in favor of Freedom, of human rights, is an offense to Pope Francis, not a tribute,” he opined.
