Home Care In Lisbon, LA

The Vatican is hoping to facilitate a friendly encounter between a group of young Russians and their Ukrainian peers next week in Lisbon during World Youth Day ( WYD ), La Croix has learned.

Pope Francis will arrive in the Portuguese capital on the second day of the August 1-6 gathering of teens and young adults, and delegations from the warring Eastern European countries are also expected to be there, according to Church sources.

L'Œuvre d'Orient, the Paris-based Church agency that supports Christians from the East, said it was helping to cover costs for nearly 300 Ukrainians who will be going WYD-Lisbon. And according to sources that spoke with La Croix , some 18 young adults from Russia will be coming to the youth gathering with one of the country's Catholic bishops. It is understood that both groups will be made up primarily of young women, the men being held back in both countries to meet their military obligations.

Among the small group from Russia there will be some foreign university students living in the country. As with the other participants from all over the world, catechesis in Russian is also planned for Lisbon.

The Vatican is eager to highlight the presence of the young Russians and Ukrainians as an opportunity to encourage "reconciliation" between nationals of the two countries that have been at war since February 2022.

"WYD is traditionally a time for intercultural encounters, which can also be encounters of peace," said one Vatican source.

The same source confirmed that young people from other war-torn countries are also taking part in the meetings organized in Lisbon, such as those from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the other hand, a group of Syrian Catholics that had planned to attend World Youth Day had to cancel their plans, as the Portuguese authorities refused to grant the necessary entrance visas.

"It's normal for all nationalities to be represented"

"There's nothing extraordinary about the presence of Russians and Ukrainians. It's normal for all nationalities to be represented," insisted another Vatican aide.

The pope's official program during his five days in Portugal does not reveal any particular initiative to bring together the young people from the two countries, but many admit that such a possibility is not out of the question.

Since the beginning of the war, Francis has twice brought Ukrainians and Russians together,...

Lisbon, Portugal has been inundated with tourists in recent years, as fans from across the globe (and particularly America) head to the coastal European city in search of seafood, steep hills, and lots of sherry. Now Angelenos can book a closer-to-home trip for much the same experience, with this week’s opening of Barra Santos in Cypress Park.

While the new Barra Santos, the latest venture from the hit hospitality team Last Word (Found Oyster), isn’t quite the same thing as being on the Iberian peninsula, co-owner Mike Santos wants to at least offer a similar feeling. Santos was born in Portugal and raised in East Coast Portuguese communities, and now he’s running one of the first true restaurants for piri piri chicken, bacalao fritters, and marinated pork bifana sandwiches anywhere in Southern California. Chef and partner Melissa López (Bestia, Barbuto) is on to oversee the culinary side of things at the small, snacks-focused spot, while Last Word wine director Evelyn Goreshnik is handling the drinks. Expect a full array of sherry, port, madeira, and wine, in addition to draft beer and brews imported directly from Portugal. The opening menus are below.

As for the anticipated new Cypress Park space itself, expect a small footprint reminiscent of Last Word’s other familiar venture Found Oyster. A long, 25-foot red oak bar makes for the primary dining area, save for some additional exterior seating directly out front. Pendant lights and curtains at the front of the long building give the feel of a longtime neighborhood hangout that’s been built with brick and aged with time, while handprinted tiles feel as if they’re pulled directly from Lisbon proper.

The new Barra Santos is part of a larger transformation happening lately across Cypress Park, Glassell Park, and the eastern edges of Eagle Rock. In recent years the area has seen an uptick in daytime spots like Bub & Grandma’s and Loquat Coffee, as well as drinking destinations like Wife & the Somm, Capri Club, and the Grant bar. While some in the surrounding neighborhoods have welcomed the influx of hospitality options, others have felt that some of the businesses may be priced out of reach for longtime locals, spurring growing fears of ongoing gentrification and displacement. Next door, Last Word is also opening Shin’s Pizza, a neighborhood pizzeria for inexpensive after-school takeout slices and snacks.

The new Barra Santos opens Friday, March 24 at 1215 Cypress Avenue, keeping hours from Wednesday to Sunday, 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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In this sun-soaked region, you’ll find Michelin-starred meals, an exciting wine scene, and a new group of young, progressive creatives.

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"Penelope Cruz and Javier Bardem recently visited the Algarve," textile artist Vanessa Barragao's studio assistant said during my visit. She was one of many who mentioned the Hollywood elite flocking to this region with 300 days of sunshine a year, a coast that forms a jagged smile along the Atlantic, and a burgeoning wine scene. A much less elite Angeleno, I thought to myself, had I traveled nearly 6,000 miles to discover the "California of Europe?"

I didn't mind — I love California. And after spending 10 days in Portugal’s southernmost region with my boyfriend, it was obvious that California and the Algarve have both similarities and striking differences.

One common thread is that the Algarve has more Michelin-starred restaurants than all other areas of Portugal combined (and California has more Michelin-starred restaurants than any other U.S. state). We tasted local cuisine over a three-hour meal at Vista, a restaurant helmed by chef João Oliveira.

Within minutes, I shed tears of joy. From the first bite (a molecular explosion of green apple, wasabi, and fennel) to dessert (a miniature citrus tree with an orange sphere encased in a ganache-covered shell and filled with orange chocolate mousse), Oliveira and his staff performed an opera of flavor.

But zoom out, and the local Algarve cuisine splits with California. The Algarve is inflected with a North African influence. After all, the area spent centuries under Moorish rule. Pepper, curry, and coriander spice up the menus, and a traditional dish called cataplana is the Algarve’s answer to tagine.

Similarly to California, the Algarve offers a lovely mix of beaches, countryside, and city life, but it looks a bit different. For instance, in the fisherman's village of Olhão, we climbed the bell tower of the Church of Nossa Senhora do Rosário for a spectacular view over a zigzagging blanket of white Cubist buildings that conjured comparisons to towns Morocco's Tetouan or Spain's Cadaqués.

Later, we spent a few days in Vila Real de Santo António, the border town between Portugal and Spain, on the right bank of the Guadiana River. This city was planned during Portugal's "Age of Enlightenment" and features neoclassical buildings and symmetrical, Pombaline blocks (akin to Lisbon). Nothing in California compares.

Then, in the capital city of Faro, the comparisons to California returned. Here, you might notice nods to William Krisel's Palm Springs or John Lautner's Hollywood, as it's a hotbed of modernist buildings designed for a tropical climate.

Michael Stock, the co-owner of Quinta Dos Vales vineyard, explained that Californians are flocking to the Algarve for a similar laid-back lifestyle with a lower cost of living and no divisive politics. He added that there's a bevy of international schools, almost everyone speaks English, and taxes are low. Strolling with him among his vines, with the Monchique Mountains as our backdrop, the view and landscape did slightly recall Napa or Sonoma.

And when we later did a tasting at Morgado do Quintão, a historic estate with a 2,000-year-old olive tree, it was clear, too, that the Algarve’s wine scene might follow in Northern California’s footsteps. Quintão's approach is to reclaim their roots: low intervention, biological practices, and use of the indigenous grapes (called crato, negra mole, and castelão). They're also one of the first vineyards in the Algarve to export to the U.S. and have their wines in three-star Michelin restaurants worldwide.

The coast here also rivals the Golden State. The Algarve's beaches have earned 87 Blue Flags — one of Europe’s highest concentrations. It is said that the sandier, quieter beaches are on the eastern side of the Algarve, with warmer water and calmer winds.

I walked the east side’s Praia de Santo António and experienced a pristine panorama of shimmering ocean and untouched golden sand. Cliff and cove lovers should be aware of the western side, though, which has echoes of Malibu, and, at times, San Luis Obispo.

After returning to L.A. and reflecting on this trip, I thought of the Mark Twain quote: "All scenery in California requires distance to give it its highest charm." The same could be said of the Algarve. Their version of sun, sea, and Michelin stars may approximate California in certain ways, but it definitely has its own special vibe, too.

Best Places to Stay in the Algarve

Casa Modesta: Overlooking the Ria Formosa lagoon, this nine-room boutique hotel offers a design-oriented place to sync with nature's pace. It's also a former fisherman's home, lovingly restored by his architect granddaughter and run by her brother.

Bela Vista Hotel & Spa: This 19th-century, Moorish-style family home-turned-hotel provides gated privacy within a walkable neighborhood on one side and direct beach access on the other. Breakfast on the panoramic terrace is a must.

Best Places to Eat and Drink in the Algarve

Los Locos: A tiny, candlelit restaurant hidden in a cobblestone alley offers surprising flavor combinations and techniques. Trip: Try the salad with smoked greens.

Sushi Pearl: This upscale sushi spot serves just-caught local fish with Portuguese flourishes.

Vista: Expect an unparalleled, Michelin-starred dining experience focused on seafood and vegetables.

Grand House: A Belle Epoque-style bar where you can say your favorite spirit and wind up with a tailor-made, one-of-a-kind cocktail.

Chá Chá Chá: A British food writer opened this charming restaurant, which revolves around the morning’s catches.

Best Things to Do in the Algarve

Benagil Sea Cave: Accessible by boat, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard, this spot resembles nature’s cathedral, with an open-air oculus framing the blue sky.

Modernist Architecture Walking Tour: Faro's impressive collection of modernist and art deco buildings are discoverable with a guide created by the owners of the Modernist Hotel. (There’s an in-room copy for hotel guests' use.)

Morgado do Quintão: Come for the wine tasting and a romantic afternoon, leave with the maximum amount of bottles that will fit into your checked baggage.

Best Places to Shop in the Algarve

Kozii: This Tavira boutique sells beautiful, eco-conscious clothing and jewelry inspired by the techniques, people, and landscapes of Jaipur.

Vanessa Barragão: A young textile artist weaves giant tapestries that reflect on climate change, especially its impact on oceans. (By appointment only.)

Loulé Design Lab: Local artisans make and sell unique clothing, jewelry, and crafts here.

Ocean breezes, mountain views, stunning architecture, great food. Fala vocé português? Even if you don’t; Portugal is it, and has been for years. And recently, more Americans — especially Californians — are looking to make their vacations there permanent.

Today, we discuss why more Americans are trading in their SUVs and fast food drive-throughs for the affordable homes and easy living of Portugal — and what that means for local residents.

Read the full transcript here.

Host: Gustavo Arellano

Guest: L.A. Times correspondent Jaweed Kaleem

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In the parish of Paiao, in central Portugal, numerous volunteers have come together to welcome young participants from the dioceses of Reims and Soissons. However, a noticeable absence is the lack of young adults aged 18 to 35. Anterro Mesquita, a key organizer of the local WYD hosting, deeply regrets this absence: "They are deserting the churches and have not helped prepare an event so important for Portugal."

This local disengagement is confirmed on a larger scale by recent estimates of Catholicism's impact on Portuguese society. A study published in June by the Portuguese Catholic University reveals that 56% of Portuguese aged 14 to 30 consider themselves believers (50% consider themselves Catholics), while within this age group, only 34% identify as practicing believers, compared to 60% in the overall population. "Young people identify less with the Church," says Father Paulo Fernando Filipe, the parish priest of Paiao. "Although they grew up in Catholic families and were baptized, they abandon religious practice as they age. I no longer see young adults in the churches I serve."

The lingering influence of the Church in Portuguese society is perceived as a deterrent for young people. "They feel trapped, stifled by a certain conservatism," he laments. "We have a communication problem, struggling to encourage them to get involved." The Church's image has also been tarnished by the mid-February release of the conclusions of an independent Portuguese commission's report on sexual abuses within the Church since 1950, which documented at least 4,815 victims.

Looking closer, the decline of Catholicism affects Portuguese society as a whole, despite the enduring popularity of popular devotion and the country being seen as one of the last "strongholds" of Catholicism in Europe. According to the latest national census, 80.2% of Portuguese over 15 define themselves as Catholics, compared to 81% in 2011. However, in the past ten years, the number of people identifying as "non-religious" has surged from 6.8% in 2011 to 14.1% in 2021. The number of church weddings has also drastically declined, from nearly 52,000 in 1990 to about 9,600 in 2022. Similarly, the number of ordinations is rapidly decreasing.

"While the 80% of Catholics in the Portuguese population maintain Catholicism as a cultural religion in Portugal," says anthropologist Alfredo Teixeira, a specialist in religious studies, "the erosion trend is undeniable in terms of the relative weight of Catholics in society."

In the context of Catholicism's retreat, can an event like the WYD breathe new life into the Portuguese Church? This is certainly the hope of the organizers. Over the past four years, a network of young people has formed in Portugal, ranging from high school chaplaincies to young professionals in parishes hosting foreign participants from all over the country. "Not all Catholics have engaged in this process," admits Bishop José Ornelas Carvalho, Bishop of Leiria-Fatima and President of the Portuguese Episcopal Conference. "But those who have engaged have done significant work that will revitalize evangelization after the WYD."

Father Carlos Cabecinhas, the rector of the Fatima sanctuary—a major spiritual site in the country still frequented by many Catholics, including young people and families who have left Sunday Mass—also firmly believes that the WYD will be a "unique opportunity." "The testimony of participants from around the world will be crucial for young Portuguese," he says. "But it will also be essential for the renewal of the entire Portuguese Church."

According to Charles Mercier, a historian of Catholicism specializing in the WYD, this global event traditionally "brings together people of different sensitivities who don't necessarily cooperate." He adds, "It's a unifying moment for the Catholicism of a country, focusing on a positive objective in a context where the Church often deals with its own crises."

Within the clergy, doubts arise about the possibility of reversing the trend. Sitting in his office at Saint-Julien Church in Figueira da Foz, on the west coast of Portugal, Father Orlando Martins does not hide his fatigue after finalizing the last preparations to coordinate the program for about 50 French, Venezuelan, and Spanish participants based in the area during the diocesan week. This 50-year-old priest is skeptical about the results expected by the organizers. "Evangelization is a long-term movement," he says. "But it can raise questions: Why are all these young people coming? To pray? To see the pope? Even from an outsider's perspective, it's a beautiful sight."

"The WYD can stimulate the interest of young people," agrees Father Filipe. "But for them to regain faith, the Portuguese Church and previous generations must engage with them." The Portuguese bishops, in any case, intend to capitalize on the enthusiasm generated by the WYD. During their assembly in Fatima in early July, Catholic leaders worked on a pastoral approach based on the influence of this massive gathering. And to sustain the youth involvement, the networks established in parishes are expected to continue beyond August 6 and the final Mass celebrated by Pope Francis.