While Pope Benedict’s speeches and homilies during four days in Portugal were quite serious, the gifts he received at his final stop in Porto were a bit curious. In addition to the keys to city, as might be expected for a visiting dignitary, he also received two high-tech items, both produced with help from local universities.

The first was an electronic T-shirt – produced in white, we were told, especially for the Pope. The shirt automatically monitors your heartbeat and keeps all the data in a box in your pocket.

The second was an ultra-light guitar made of carbon fiber. No word yet on whether Benedict will make use of either of the gifts, but while he does like playing the piano, he’s never been known to strum a guitar.

On a more serious note, Pope Benedict’s visit to Portugal illustrated just what a difficult time he will have keeping the faith alive in an increasingly secular Europe.

While Portugal is about 90 percent Catholic, it legalized abortion in 2007 and will soon have a law protecting same-sex marriage, issues the Pope told social workers were “among the most insidious and dangerous challenges” for society today.

Benedict issued a kind of call to arms in culture wars, blasting the mainstream media and the chattering classes for their lack of faith and “disdain” for religion.

“There’s a need for authentic witnesses of Jesus Christ,” Benedict told the Portuguese bishops at Fatima,  “above all in those environments where the silence of the faith is deeper and wider: politicians, intellectuals, communications professionals who profess and promote a mono-cultural ideal, with disdain for the religious and contemplative dimension of life.”