To celebrate Pope Francis' presence in Lisbon as part of World Youth Day 2023, a tree-planting ceremony associated with the six major religious (Taoism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam) took place on August 2 at 6:30 pm in the Tropical Botanical Garden of the University of Lisbon.
A historic event in which six trees were planted, each symbolizing a different religion, signifying an act of unification and reconciliation between faiths. Two of the trees are olive trees, which the Embassy of Israel, together with Keren Kayemeth Lelsrael, brought especially from Jerusalem (in a complex operation) are the only trees planted that are not from Portugal. These trees will evoke, for many years, Francis' call to care for nature, universal brotherhood, and peaceful coexistence between religions.
The event was attended by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin; the Minister of the Presidency of Portugal, Mariana Vieira da Silva; the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon, Dorn Manuel Clemente; representatives of KKL Portugal Jaime Ayash and Danielle Stipp Melamed; representatives of the Muslim, Christian, Taoist, Hindu and Buddhist communities; the Rector of the University of Lisbon Luis Manuel dos Anjos Ferreira, among others.
This unique and momentous occasion will have a lasting impact, as these trees - symbols of peace and goodwill - will continue to grow and represent the special bond between all faiths and Israel and Portugal, for generations to come.
Special thanks to the University of Lisbon for its collaboration. We invite you to come to the Botanical Garden to see how the trees grow.