"The organization is monitoring the situation calmly and with full confidence in public entities. The protocol agreed for this type of case has been put into action", said the spokeswoman for the World Youth Day Foundation (WYD), Rosa Pedroso Lima, in press conference.
The official later explained to Lusa that the pilgrims in question did not attend the 'check-in' of the host location.
On Monday, the diocese of Leiria-Fátima reported the "absence of 106 pilgrims from foreign groups of Angolan and Cape Verdean nationality welcomed in three parishes of the diocese".
The diocese added that "as soon as these no-shows were flagged, the organization reported them to the competent security authorities, who have since taken the required and necessary steps".
In a statement, the Internal Security System said that the authorities had taken "monitoring measures" on these 106 Angolan and Cape Verdean pilgrims.
This group was "duly registered" in the World Youth Day and entered "regularly and by air in the national territory", according to the Internal Security System.
However, these pilgrims did not carry out the 'check-in' in the diocese of Leiria-Fátima, as planned, he added.
According to the note, because the citizens entered Portugal "legally and with a valid visa in the Schengen area" it is not considered "for legal purposes, that the group is missing".
Despite this circumstance, the Internal Security System said that "the competent monitoring measures are being taken by the authorities involved, both at national and international level".
At least 1518 Angolans, residing in Angola and in the diaspora, signed up to participate in WYD Lisbon 2023 and 518 pilgrims are expected to embark from Luanda for this meeting with Pope Francis. From Cape Verde, a total of 913 Cape Verdeans are expected to participate, including religious.
WYD, which will be attended by Pope Francis, starts this Tuesday in Lisbon and ends on Sunday.
