On October 31, 1755, Lisbon was a crown jewel of the Christian world.
For more than two centuries the Portuguese had been carving out an overseas empire that spanned from Brazil to India. Lisbon was a port of entry for fabulous wealth into Europe, and had become itself beautiful and prosperous.
With the Reformation well established in large parts of Europe, Lisbon was also a key ally of Rome.
“Religion was everywhere. There were processions every week. King John V was trying to establish Lisbon as a second Vatican and he had successfully petitioned for the Royal Chaplain to receive the title of Patriarch,” Cardinal Manuel Clemente, Patriarch emeritus of Lisbon and Church historian, told The Pillar.
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