Summary:
Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa received an honorary doctorate from the Federal University of Pernambuco.
Described as a generous Catholic, a lifeguard, and a taxi driver during elections.
Cavalcanti quoted Fernando Pessoa: "the myth is the nothing that is everything".
Known for supporting students from PALOP countries and comforting sick children.
Acknowledged as an honorary skydiver and a former football coach.
A Multifaceted Tribute to Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa
The President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, was hailed during a ceremony where he received an honorary doctorate from the Federal University of Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil. The speech was delivered by José Paulo Cavalcanti Filho, a former Minister of Justice in Brazil, who painted a vibrant portrait of the Portuguese leader.
Cavalcanti described Marcelo as a man of many talents, referring to him as a generous Catholic, a lifeguard, and even a taxi driver during election periods. He emphasized that Marcelo is not just a politician but a myth in the sense of embodying numerous roles.
He quoted the famous Portuguese poet Fernando Pessoa, saying, "the myth is the nothing that is everything," to conclude that Marcelo is indeed a myth for being everything he is.
Throughout his address, Cavalcanti shared anecdotes from prominent figures, including António Guterres, the current UN Secretary-General. Guterres reminisced about how young Marcelo would ring all the apartment bells in their building.
Cavalcanti also referenced Paulo Portas, a former deputy prime minister, who once remarked that Marcelo is the son of God and the Devil—blessed with intelligence yet possessing a mischievous side. He recounted humorous episodes, including a famous quote from journalist José António Saraiva about Marcelo.
Marcelo's generosity was highlighted, revealing that he frequently visits Fátima and supports students from Portuguese-speaking African countries with his own funds, all while keeping it discreet. He is also known for comforting sick children at Santa Maria Hospital.
Cavalcanti characterized Marcelo as a "frustrated doctor and amateur pharmacist" who carries a bag of medicines in his car, and a "tour guide" who knows the best places for pastéis de nata. He even saved two young girls from drowning in Alvor Beach in 2018.
In sports, Marcelo is acknowledged as an honorary skydiver and a martial arts practitioner, noted for having once coached a football team during a match in 1975, where he bravely guided the team back to the field after a chaotic situation.
Cavalcanti concluded that Helena Roseta sums up Marcelo's complex personality well: "Marcelo is not one person; he is several."
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