The visit of Pope Francis to Marseille constitutes a “powerful and strong” symbol, believes the diverse-left mayor Benoît Payan, for whom his city “corresponds” to the message of openness to others carried by the head of the Catholic Church. So what is the importance of this visit? “It’s a historic event, it’s been five centuries since we’ve had a pope and for us in Marseille it’s a powerful and strong symbol. We have a pope who is particularly courageous and who in the torments of the world, in the crises that we are going through, has a universal message and a message of peace which obviously goes beyond believers, Christians, Catholics, a message that speaks to everyone. », replied Benoît Payan to AFP.
“And in a world that no longer knows very well where it is going, in a world where we can clearly see that a withdrawal is taking place, I believe that his words, his wisdom, his humility, his benevolence and his force are welcome. Marseille corresponds to this message, the history of Marseille and the Marseillais corresponds to this message. This story is made up of the torments of the world, of people who fled war and poverty. And I believe that this message, at this moment, will be something big, beautiful and strong, for Marseille but for the world too,” added the mayor.