Francis is the first pope of the modern era to visit Marseille, and Marseille is the second French city to welcome Pope Francis for an event with international resonance, recalls Vatican News. Francis went to Strasbourg on November 26, 2014, for a visit to the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. The Pope then asked the European authorities to offer “help and welcome” to migrants flocking from Africa and the Middle East.
2:35 p.m.: departure of Pope Francis from Rome-Fiumicino international airport.
4:15 p.m.: welcome of Pope Francis by Elisabeth Borne at Marignane airport. “Four children in traditional clothing will offer flowers to the Holy Father, who will receive military honors,” explains Vatican News based on the latest announcements made during the press conference of Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See press room. The head of government and the Pope will meet briefly in the Hélène-Boucher lounge at the airport. »
5:15 p.m.: Marian prayer in the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde basilica. The Pope will begin his program with a Marian prayer with the diocesan clergy at Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde. “The opportunity for the Holy Father to make his greetings”. He will be welcomed by the Archbishop of Marseille, Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, and by the rector of the Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde sanctuary, Father Olivier Spinosa. “The Pope will pray in silence before the Virgin and light a candle, before pronouncing a greeting after Cardinal Aveline speaks”adds the official Vatican information portal.
18 hours : the pope continues (and ends) the day with a moment of contemplation – with religious leaders – near the memorial to sailors and migrants lost at sea, located right next to the basilica.
He will speak “after a leader of the Marseille-Espérance interreligious association, Stella Maris, Secours catholique de Gap-Briançon”. A young migrant will read a text. The Pope and two migrants will place a wreath in front of the stele. “A highlight of these first hours in the Provençal capital”promises Vatican News.
The pope then visits the archbishopric of Marseille, where he resides during this stay.