"Portugal and the Portuguese have been confronted, in recent weeks, with the consequences of a serious international pandemic, the evolution of which has had serious social, economic and financial implications. The loss of hundreds of human lives is undoubtedly the most violent expression of the pandemic, because it is irreversible ", declared Ferro Rodrigues in his speech, this year the first of the solemn commemorative session of the 46th anniversary of the 1974 democratic revolution.

Ferro Rodrigues later said that "it would be enough to lose just one [life], for the regret to be heard and solidarity to reach those who see a loved one disappear".

"In this difficult time that we live in, our thoughts are with all those who lost family and friends. With all those who are hospitalized, fighting, for their survival, against this terrible virus. With all those who are unable to contact their closest, confined in their homes or in institutions all over the country, we try to mitigate the void of deprivation of proximity affections, he pointed out.

The President of the Assembly of the Republic then extended his appeal "to all who, unable to celebrate freedom day in the street", can accompany this tribute to the 25th of April.

"For all of them a word of solidarity, of encouragement, of hope. But, especially, for all who left us, I ask that we observe a minute of silence," he added.