Portugal - June 2022 - Pope Francis sent a letter of thanks to the students of Salesian schools in Portugal and Cape Verde who, on the occasion of his 85th birthday, sent him a book of greetings composed of signatures, drawings, fingerprints, and various messages. In the letter, the Holy Father thanks his Portuguese and Cape Verdean friends, from the "youngest writers to those who are already dreaming of university," and says he has great "need" and "confidence" in the "prayers and sacrifices that, daily, they offer for him": Pope Francis also consecrates these moments "of mutual attunement" as "first fruits of the life of each, placed in the heart of God, Father and Lover of life." Pope Francis concludes the letter, which was sent to the Superior of the Salesian Province of Portugal, Fr. Aníbal Mendonça, by imparting the apostolic blessing to each of the pupils, of Salesian schools in Portugal and Cape Verde.