Portuguese criticise Lisbon mayor over pricey altar for Pope

FILE PHOTO: Mayor of Lisbon Carlos Moedas speaks during the opening ceremony of Web Summit, Europe's largest technology conference, in Lisbon, Portugal, November 1, 2021. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes/File Photo

LISBON (Reuters) - Lisbon's mayor has been sharply criticised on Portuguese social media after it was revealed his office would spend over 5 million euros ($5.4 million) to build an altar for Pope Francis to celebrate a mass at this year's World Youth Day.

The Portuguese capital will host from Aug. 1-6 the international festival bringing together the Pope and hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from all over the world.