Pope Francis, 86, recently made a two-day visit to Marseille, in southeastern France, to address the migration issue and the situation in the Mediterranean. His arrival was marked by strong declarations concerning the tragedies taking place at sea and the fate of migrants.
Indeed, the pope denounced the deadly nature of the Mediterranean, calling it a “graveyard.” He expressed his sadness at the situation of migrants who, after crossing the desert and confronting traffickers in Libya, find themselves thrown into the sea. The sovereign pontiff stressed the importance of showing humanity and rescuing these people in distress.
His visit to Marseille was marked by a visit to the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, where he prayed with the clergy and prayed in front of the memorial dedicated to sailors and migrants missing at sea. The choice of this symbolic place was an opportunity for the Pope to raise awareness throughout the world of the dramatic situation in the Mediterranean.
Pope Francis also took advantage of his stay in Marseille to deliver a speech during the Mediterranean Meetings, an important forum for addressing the subject of migration. He called for people not to get used to tragedies at sea and to overcome the fear and indifference that condemn migrants to death.
This visit sparked various reactions in France, with some criticizing the pope’s political interference in the migration issue. However, it is undeniable that Pope Francis, by highlighting the situation of migrants in the Mediterranean, has drawn attention to an urgent humanitarian problem.
Concluding his visit, Pope Francis met with French President Emmanuel Macron and delivered a mass at the Stade Vélodrome, bringing together the faithful and citizens of Marseille around the issue of migration.
This visit by Pope Francis to Marseille highlighted the importance of solidarity and humanitarian action to help migrants in distress in the Mediterranean. The Pope’s voice, carrying a strong message, helped to raise awareness of this issue in the world and to encourage concrete actions to help the most vulnerable.