Pope Francis recently concluded his trip dedicated to migrants with a giant mass at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille. This event, which attracted tens of thousands of people, including Emmanuel Macron, provoked varied reactions from the French political class.
During his homily, the pope denounced the “tragic rejection of human life” that is often reserved for people seeking to emigrate to new countries. He stressed the importance of welcoming migrants with compassion and generosity, rather than rejecting them out of fear or indifference.
The presence of Emmanuel Macron at this mass was criticized by certain left-wing elected officials, who invoked the principle of secularism to question his participation. On the other hand, far-right elected officials chose to boycott the event because of the Pope’s speech on migrants.
This giant mass at the Vélodrome stadium was organized in an “extraordinary” security system, with nearly 6,000 members of the police mobilized. Despite this, the event took place in a climate of calm and peace, with a heterogeneous crowd made up of Christians of different faiths, Muslims, families and young people.
This visit by Pope Francis to France helped to highlight the burning issue of migrants and to recall the importance of welcome and solidarity towards those who seek refuge and opportunities in new countries. The pope’s message also resonated with recent controversies over immigration in Europe, highlighting the need for a more understanding and humane approach to this global challenge.