In the order of service, which the Lusa agency had access to, the national director, Manuel Magina da Silva, determines “the suspension of holidays between July 24 and August 7, 2023 for all police officers who provide service in the PSP, except for duly substantiated exceptional situations to be authorized on a case-by-case basis”.

In the service order sent to the police last Tuesday, the national director justifies the decision with the holding of "Days in the Dioceses" (meetings of young people from all over the world in 17 dioceses on the mainland and islands), between 26 and 31 of July, and with the World Youth Day (WYD), between the 1st and 6th of August, in Lisbon, with the presence of the head of the Catholic Church, with the expected participation of more than one million young people from all over the world.

“This event will have a huge impact on our institution's mission and will require an unprecedented security effort in our country, resulting from the increased flow of people in the area of responsibility of the PSP”, writes Magina da Silva.

The national director adds that, in addition to the Pope, “the presence of various high entities from various countries is expected, whose security will fall, in particular, on the PSP, taking into account its area of intervention and its legal attributions”.

The “Dioceses Days” will take place in the Algarve, Angra do Heroísmo, Aveiro, Beja, Braga, Bragança-Miranda, Coimbra, Évora, Funchal, Guarda, Lamego, Leiria-Fátima, Portalegre-Castelo Branco, Vila Real and Viseu, “ also requiring special security measures”.

Last December, the Minister of Internal Administration had already stated that World Youth Day is "another challenge" for the PSP, requiring "additional service".

The World Youth Day will take place between August 1 and 6, 2023, in Lisbon, with the presence of Pope Francis, who will also travel to Fátima.


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