“[…] I wish on Sunday to hear from the Holy Father himself, Pope Francis, the announcement that the next World Youth Days in June 2022, can be held in Lisbon, Portugal,” De Sousa said.

De Sousa spoke on the sidelines of a meeting between Arlindo Oliveira, scientist, researcher and director of Lisbon's top engineering institute, the Instituto Superior Técnico, and secondary school students, under a scientific programme at the Belém Palace to stimulate young people’s interest in science.

The World Youth Days kick off on Tuesday in Panama until the 27th, when the pope should disclose whether the Portuguese candidacy was chosen to organise the event in 2022.

In addition to Pope Francis, the event will count on De Sousa’s presence, as an invitation from his Panamanian counterpart Juan Carlos Varela.

The 34th World Youth Day expects 200,000 young people from 155 countries, including 300 from Portugal from 12 dioceses and six congregations and movements.

The Pope challenges the young people who participate in these journeys to overcome all kinds of cultural, economic or social differences.

The event was created by Pope John Paul II in 1985 and takes place at a diocesan level annually, and at the international level every two to three years at different places in the world.