On March 21, 1982, Msgr. Sante Portalupi, the Papal Nuncio to Portugal, Bishop Alberto Cosme do Amaral of Leiria-Fatima and Dr. Francisco Lacerda were sent by Pope John Paul II to meet with Sister Lucy, to learn from her the requirements necessary to fulfill the Consecration of Russia. She informed them of the requirements for the valid Consecration of Russia according to the request of Our Lady of Fatima:

… the Pope, together with all the Catholic bishops of the world on the same day, is to consecrate Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

However, the Nuncio did not transmit Sister Lucy's full message to the Pope. Bishop do Amaral told Bishop Portalupi not to mention to the Holy Father the requirement that the world's bishops must participate in the Consecration.