Pope Francis, an emblematic figure of the Vatican, recently visited Marseille, in the south-east of France. This two-day visit aimed to highlight the theme of migration and raise awareness of the situation in the Mediterranean.
Upon his arrival at Marseille-Provence airport, Pope Francis expressed his commitment to the cause of migrants by denouncing the cruelty and lack of humanity which characterize the perilous crossings in the Mediterranean. He also expressed his deep desire to make his voice heard on this issue during his visit to Marseille.
Accompanied by French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne, Pope Francis visited the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, symbol of the Phocaean city. There, he gathered in front of the memorial dedicated to sailors and migrants lost at sea. This initiative helped to highlight the tragic reality of shipwrecks in the Mediterranean and to call for the urgency of saving these human lives.
In his speech, Pope Francis made a vibrant appeal for solidarity with people in distress at sea. He urged everyone not to get used to the tragedies of shipwrecks and to act to save those who risk drowning. He also stressed the importance of overcoming the paralysis of fear and disinterest that condemns these people to death in search of a better life.
In addition to this migratory theme, Pope Francis also addressed the issue of the environment during his visit to Marseille. Sensitive to the ecological cause, he received from the French Prime Minister a document on the French government’s ecological planning.
Pope Francis closed his visit to Marseille by participating in the Mediterranean Meetings, an event aimed at promoting dialogue and cooperation between Mediterranean countries. He also met French President Emmanuel Macron and delivered a mass at the Stade Vélodrome.
This visit of Pope Francis to Marseille provoked different reactions in France. Some have praised his commitment to migrants and the environment, while others have criticized his intervention in political and social issues.
In conclusion, Pope Francis’ visit to Marseille was an opportunity to highlight the challenges linked to migration in the Mediterranean. His plea for solidarity and action towards people in distress reminded us of the importance of saving human lives. This visit also highlighted the Pope’s commitment to the environmental cause and his desire to promote dialogue and cooperation between Mediterranean countries.