Pope Francis arrived this Saturday shortly after 4 p.m. at the Vélodrome stadium, welcomed by a surprise tifo from OM supporters after a wandering in a popemobile less than two kilometers on Avenue du Prado. Thousands of people had gathered along the avenue to catch a glimpse of the sovereign pontiff during his journey at 15 km/h towards the stadium. The Holy Father celebrated there for a little less than two hours a giant mass, highlight of his visit to Marseille these September 22 and 23.
For the occasion, the Vélodrome stadium has taken on the appearance of an open-air cathedral, occupied by 57,000 faithful, some of whom waited for several hours in the surrounding streets. In the hours which preceded the start of the mass, the spectators followed the “ola” and “clappings”, in a atmosphere as fervent as it is festive.
At the Vélodrome stadium, a giant dais was installed for the pope in the north bend, where OM supporters usually cheer on match days. Behind the stage, a choir made up of 800 singers, including Michèle Rubirola, first deputy mayor of Marseille. In the southern bend, facing the papal platform, a giant tifo in the colors of the city, in place throughout the celebration.
Among the personalities in the stands, the Ukrainian ambassador to France, Vadym Omelchenko, the president of the European Central Bank, Christine Lagarde, the current and former mayors of Marseille, Benoît Payan and Jean-Claude Gaudin, several elected officials from the local right such as Martine Vassal, Renaud Muselier, Patrick de Carolis or Sophie Joissains, and ministers Gérald Darmanin and Sabrina Agresti-Roubache. The President of the Republic also attends mass, with his wife Brigitte. In the morning, Emmanuel Macron met the Pope face-to-face at the Pharo Palace, where the Mediterranean Meetings were held, which the head of the Catholic Church closed with a speech focused on the migration crisis.
A very political speech at the end of the Mediterranean Meetings
Pope Francis arrived this Saturday shortly before 10 a.m. at the Pharo Palace to deliver his closing speech at the Mediterranean Meetings, which brought together nearly 70 bishops from the region. The head of the Catholic Church insisted on the history, role and cosmopolitan character of the city of Marseille, a city which “gives a homeland to those who no longer have one”, as a preamble toa very political speech, focused on the migration crisis which is shaking Europe after the arrival of thousands of migrants on the Italian island of Lampedusa: “Marseille tells us that despite the difficulties, conviviality is possible and that it is a source of joy […] a tide of people has made this city a mosaic of hope.”
The sovereign pontiff had already spoken out on the fate of migrants who seek to cross the Mediterranean as soon as they arrive in Marseille on Friday, castigating the “fear” And “indifference” European leaders. He also spoke in front of a monument dedicated to sailors and migrants missing at sea at the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica.
A face-to-face interview with Emmanuel Macron
After his closing speech at the Mediterranean Meetings, Francis had a private meeting with the President of the Republic at the Pharo Palace. They discussed migration issues and the end of lifeEmmanuel Macron presenting to the Pope the “calendar” and the “methodology” of the expected bill on this second subject “in the next weeks”, indicated the Elysée. On migrants, “France has nothing to be ashamed of, it is a country of welcome and integration”, specified the presidency. At the end of his life, the head of state is not “did not go into detail about the content or even the balance of the text”she added.
The two men also exchanged gifts. the President of the Republic offered two books to the Pope: an original edition of Summer by Albert Camus, a story which takes the reader around the Mediterranean, and notably in Algeria in the 1950s, and Ex-Voto sailors of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde by Félix Reynaud, an essay on the offerings which decorate the Marseille basilica. Inside one of these books, Emmanuel Macron slipped the following message: “For His Holiness Pope Francis, in memory of these days in Marseille, at the bedside of our Mediterranean. Brotherly friendships.”
Meeting with people in precariousness
Pope Francis’ second day in Marseille began around 9 a.m. this Saturday at the house of the Missionaries of Charity, the order founded by Mother Teresa. A highly symbolic place since it is located in one of the poorest areas of Marseille, straddling Saint-Maura and Belle-de-Mai, historic neighborhoods welcoming the most recent and poorest immigrants. The sovereign pontiff met, in private, with people in economic precariousness.
Follow the Pope’s visit on France Bleu Provence
- Listen to the special day of France Bleu Provence dedicated to this historic visit of Pope Francis since 7 a.m. this Saturday, with a special show until 7 p.m.
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