Pope Francis, an emblematic figure of the Catholic Church, recently began a two-day visit to Marseille, in southeastern France. This visit is of particular importance because it focuses on the theme of migration and the Mediterranean, a region often affected by migratory flows.
The 86-year-old pontiff arrived in Marseille on September 22, welcomed by French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne. During his plane trip, the pope expressed his expectations and hopes for the visit, saying he wanted to address the issue of migrants and denounce the cruelty and lack of humanity surrounding them.
Pope Francis is particularly sensitive to the environmental cause, and he received from the Prime Minister the document on ecological planning from the French government. This meeting testifies to the Pope’s commitment to environmental protection.
Upon his arrival in Marseille, the Pope went to the Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica, a high place of spirituality in the region. He joined his prayer to that of the clergy and then participated in a moment of contemplation in front of the memorial dedicated to sailors and migrants missing at sea. This symbolic gesture reminded everyone of the importance of the migration issue and the tragedies that occur in Mediterranean.
In his speech, Pope Francis appealed to no longer get used to the shipwrecks and indifference that condemn to death those who risk their lives crossing the sea. He underlined the duty of humanity and civilization to come to the aid of those who find themselves in danger in the waters of the Mediterranean.
This visit by Pope Francis to Marseille sparked mixed reactions in France. While some have praised his commitment to migrants, others have criticized his political interference and his position on the migration issue.
Pope Francis will close his visit by delivering a speech at the Mediterranean Meetings, where he will emphasize the importance of international cooperation to resolve the migration crisis. He will also meet French President Emmanuel Macron before leaving for Rome.
This visit of Pope Francis to Marseille is a poignant reminder of the urgency of the migration issue and the need to find humane and united solutions. The Pope continues to show his commitment to the most vulnerable and calls on the world to act with compassion and responsibility in the face of this humanitarian crisis.