Portuguese artist rolls out banknote carpet to slam pope's visit costs

An artwork installation titled "Walk of Shame" depicting carpet with oversized 500 euros banknotes on, is seen rolled at a main stage of the World Youth Day, as a sign of protest over Portugal's state expenditure on Pope Francis' visit, by Portuguese artist Bordalo II, in Lisbon, Portugal July 28, 2023. BORDALO II/Handout via REUTERS THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY

LISBON (Reuters) - Portugal's famed street artist, Bordalo II, has broken into a Lisbon venue where Pope Francis will celebrate a mass next week and rolled out a huge carpet of oversized banknotes to criticise how much the state has spent on the event.

Francis will travel to Lisbon from Aug. 2-6 to attend the World Youth Day global gathering of young Catholics, which is expected to bring together hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.