A mural dedicated to Pope Francis was unveiled during the recent Entrudo Chocalheiro celebration in early March, held in the district of Bragança. The mural is located at Largo da Capela, a site the Caretos have proposed be renamed Praça Papa Francisco.
“This proposal is a token of gratitude and recognition for the audience granted by the Holy Father to the Caretos de Podence delegation on January 22, 2025, at the Vatican,” explained the Associação Grupo dos Caretos de Podence in a statement.
The association further noted, “The warm reception by Pope Francis was a milestone in the history of the Caretos tradition, enhancing its international recognition and value as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.”
Following Pope Francis’s death on Monday at the age of 88 from a stroke after 12 years of leadership, the association emphasized, “This gesture gains an eternal dimension — a meeting between tradition and faith that will go down in history.”
A group from the Caretos de Podence visited the Vatican on January 22 to commemorate five years since the tradition was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
On that occasion, the Caretos presented the Catholic Church leader with a coat from their signature costume, crafted from a woolen blanket and embellished with red, yellow, and green fringes.
During the event, António Carneiro, president of the Associação Grupo dos Caretos de Podence, announced that a tribute would take place during the carnival festivities, which was realized through a mural painted by the transmontane artist Ricardo Dobrões, known as Trip Dots.
This mural joins others already featuring figures such as Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, Cristiano Ronaldo, and António Guterres.
António Carneiro confirmed that the formal proposal was submitted to the authorities today.
“I believe we were the last Portuguese delegation received by Pope Francis at the Vatican. We are very saddened by his passing, but we must keep moving forward, as he advised us,” expressed Carneiro, confident that the proposal will gain acceptance.
Contacted by the Lusa agency, João Alves, president of the Podence parish council, viewed the initiative positively but reminded that name changes for streets and places must follow due procedures.
“I see it positively. However, street names cannot be changed at our discretion. It must go through the toponymy committee and be approved in the Municipal Assembly. But I think it is a beautiful tribute to Pope Francis, who deserves it,” said João Alves.
A source from the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros reiterated that changes of this nature must adhere to imposed procedures, stating that the proposal would be analyzed and discussed before the Municipal Chamber officially responds.
Pope Francis was born in Buenos Aires on December 17, 1936, and was the first Jesuit and Latin American to lead the Catholic Church.
His last public appearance was on Easter Sunday at the Vatican, the day before his passing. He had been hospitalized for 38 days due to bilateral pneumonia and was discharged on March 23.
Portugal declared three days of national mourning.
