The leader of the Socialist Party (PS), Pedro Nuno Santos, signed the book of condolences for Pope Francis on Wednesday, following the Pope’s death on Monday at the age of 88.
Speaking to journalists from the Apostolic Nunciature in Lisbon, Santos emphasized that “the messages of Christianity, whether for believers or non-believers, are powerful and challenge our most basic instincts.”
“According to the great commandment of Jesus – ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’ – or even ‘Forgive those who offend us,’ these are messages that many Portuguese, both Catholic and non-Catholic, have become accustomed to over the years. If we reflect on them, they are powerful, truly revolutionary, because they confront our instincts. These are messages of Christianity and messages that Jesus Christ left for all Christians, which Pope Francis embodied and disseminated. Pope Francis exemplified the revival of this original and very important message of Christianity,” he recalled.
For Pedro Nuno Santos, the Supreme Pontiff “throughout his life, in his messages, and in the way he related to others, particularly with those who most need compassion, support, the weakest, the underprivileged, the poorest.”
“He is, therefore, one of the greatest examples of the message of love, which is a central message in the religion of the overwhelming majority of the Portuguese,” he concluded.
