Pope Francis Park
| Pope Francis Park | |
|---|---|
| Parque Tejo | |
| Parque Papa Francisco | |
 Mouth of the Trancão River with Pope Francis Park and the Vasco da Gama Bridge
in the background | |
| Type | Municipal |
| Location | Parque das Nações, Lisbon |
| Coordinates | 38°47′4.06″N 9°5′34.48″W / 38.7844611°N 9.0929111°W |
| Status | Open all year |
Parque Tejo was created in Parque das Nações, Lisbon, following the International Exhibition of 1998, based on the idea of re-establishing the environmental quality of the Tagus riverfront.[1]
In 2023, it was renovated under the supervision of the architect António Maria Braga[2], renamed "Campo da Graça" during World Youth Day 2023, and to Parque Papa Francisco ("Pope Francis Park") in July 2025.[3][4] On 24 July 2025, it hosted the opening ceremony of the 16th World Scout Moot, with thousands of Rover Scouts camping before heading out on routes across Portugal ahead of a reunion in Cortegaça, Ovar a week later.[5][6]
Birdwatching
The Parque do Tejo area is a prime spot for waterfowl watching in the city of Lisbon.[7] It is possible to observe:
- squeaks, dark-winged and yellow-legged gulls, pairs of mallards and teals, millerangs and tailorbills;
- Dozens of cormorants, herons, spoonbills, egrets, fusiliers, sandpipers and gray plovers can often be seen on the bridge pillars.
References
- ^ Silva, J. (2007). Floresta e sociedade - uma história em comum, Público.
- ^ "Despacho n.º 11401/2021, de 19 de novembro" [Dispatch no. 11401/2021, 19 November]. DiarioDaRepublica.pt (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2023-08-13.
- ^ Abrantes Neves, Alexandre (2025-07-24). "O Parque Tejo já se chama Parque Papa Francisco. "É um gesto profético pela paz", diz patriarca" [Parque Tejo is now called Papa Francisco Park. "It's a prophetic gesture for peace," says the patriarch.]. Rr.pt (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-07-28.
- ^ "Escutismo: Portugal recebe o «World Scout Moot»" [Scouting: Portugal hosts the «World Scout Moot»]. Agência ECCLESIA (in European Portuguese). Retrieved 2025-07-28.
- ^ "Maior atividade mundial escutista em Lisboa com apoio do município" [Major worldwide scouting activity in Lisbon with municipal support]. Lisboa.pt (in Portuguese). 2025-07-15. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
- ^ "Mais de 7500 jovens participam no primeiro encontro mundial de escoteiros em Portugal" [More than 7,500 young people participate in the first world scout meeting in Portugal]. Publico.pt (in Portuguese). 2025-07-25. Retrieved 2025-07-28.
- ^ Pardela magazine no. 50 (1/2015), p. 19