They have succeeded each other for nearly 2,000 years at the head of the Roman Catholic Church. And if all have in common a faith and love in God through all tests, the popes nevertheless remain men… with their tastes, their rituals, their little habits. Pope Francis, 86, expected in Marseille this Friday, is no exception to the rule. Where will he stay? What will he eat? Ahead of the mass that François will officiate at the Vélodrome stadium on Saturday, here are four little things to know about this extraordinary trip.
A room at the archbishop’s house
Millions of faithful and a packed stadium ready to vibrate give the pope’s visit the air of that of a rock star. But unlike the icons of song, Pope Francis should not stay at the Intercontinental, one of the most luxurious hotels in Marseille, with its view of the Old Port and the Bonne Mère. His Holiness will sleep “in a room in the archbishopric, near the basilica, intended for guests,” explained Amaury Guillem, communications manager for the Mediterranean Meetings to Catholic media. Aleteia. A small adjustment was probably made, since the mattress was changed, it was specified in the Parisian.
A simple pasta dish
Although born in Argentina, Pope Francis, Jorge by his birth name, comes from a family of Italian immigrants. So, it is no surprise that a chef from Marseille who offered his services was told that the pope would carry out his meals at the archbishopric. “Pasta will be prepared for him”, it was indicated to 20 minutes. A January 2022 article fromAleteia looks back at the Pope’s culinary tastes. “François is a gourmet, he loves good pasta and beans, bread and cheese. I also sometimes prepared a pizza for him,” explained chef Sergio Dussin, who has been cooking for the popes for twenty years.
And, a priori, the pope should have lunch in peace, friendship and privacy. The newspaper The cross tells us that Emmanuel Macron, who will be in Marseille on Saturday and will attend mass, had proposed a lunch with Pope Francis. An invitation that obviously remained a dead letter. Also, the timetable was arranged so as to leave Pope Francis a short hour after lunch on Saturday noon, between the concluding session of the Mediterranean Meetings and the start of his stroll in the “Papamobile” on the Prado. A short hour for the Saint Pénéquet (nap) before going on stage?
A rock star entrance on stage?
The show at the Vélodrome promises to be grandiose, and it will not be thanks to OM, who are also currently entangled in a crisis of which the club has the secret. Nearly 900 choristers, an orchestra, brass instruments and an organ will play 19 pieces of liturgical music. “It was explained to us that the Pope would enter the stage at the third song,” informs 20 minutes Yves Berger, one of the choir directors. “A bit like a rock star,” smiles the musician. Will there be sparklers?
Natural wine on the table and for mass
We now know that Pope Francis is a “gourmet”. And to delight its taste buds, the diocese of Marseille has chosen a natural wine from the Loire, from an aptly named estate called “La Bénisson-Dieu”. The winemaker explained to AFP this week that a 2021 white Grenache will serve as a sacramental wine while the sovereign pontiff’s table will host a 2020 vintage Saint-Romain Gamay.