Pope Francis has just made a highly anticipated visit to Marseille, where he devoted his time to the theme of migration and the Mediterranean. This two-day visit was marked by moments of contemplation, meetings with religious representatives and migrants, as well as strong declarations on the situation of migrants in the Mediterranean.
The 86-year-old pontiff arrived at Marseille-Provence airport where he was welcomed by the French Prime Minister, Élisabeth Borne. Wheelchair-bound, Pope Francis expressed the importance of this visit, declaring: “I expect a lot from this trip.”
During his flight, the Pope addressed the issue of mass arrivals of migrants in Lampedusa, deploring the tragic fate of migrants who cross the desert and face traffickers in Libya only to be “thrown into the sea.” He called the Mediterranean a “graveyard” and denounced the cruelty and lack of humanity of this situation.
In Marseille, the Pope first went to the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, where he prayed with the clergy and paid tribute to the sailors and migrants missing at sea. This moment of contemplation was followed by a meeting with representatives of other religious faiths and associations helping exiles. The Pope appealed not to get used to shipwrecks and to overcome the fear and disinterest that condemn migrants to death.
This visit of Pope Francis to Marseille is of great importance, because it highlights the tragic situation of migrants in the Mediterranean and calls for humanity and solidarity. This is a hot topic that requires special attention from the international community.
Beyond his religious role, Pope Francis stands out for his commitment to the most vulnerable and excluded from society. His voice carries and inspires many people around the world. His visit to Marseille is therefore a unique opportunity to raise public awareness and promote concrete actions in favor of migrants.
In conclusion, the visit of Pope Francis to Marseille to address the migration issue and the situation in the Mediterranean is a significant event. His message highlights the importance of solidarity and empathy towards migrants, and calls for collective mobilization to put an end to this human tragedy. It is up to the international community to take concrete measures to offer a better future to migrants and to ensure that the Mediterranean is no longer a cemetery for those seeking a better life.