The Mediterranean Sea, a meeting place throughout history, has recently become a sea of death and division.
Thousands of people have lost their lives in its waters trying to find a better tomorrow. This tragedy is a cause for confrontation with some of the countries that share the so-called Mare Nostrum.
POPE FRANCIS
Bari, Italy
July 7, 2018
“Indifference kills, and we desire to lift up our voices in opposition to this murderous indifference. We want to give a voice to those who have none, to those who can only wipe away their tears. For the Middle East today is weeping, suffering and silent as others trample upon those lands in search of power or riches.”
Once again the pope will go to Bari to examine this complex situation, find solutions and, above all, pray for peace with Christian leaders in the region.
MSGR. PAOLO BIZZETI
Apostolic Vicar for Anatolia
'Returning attention to the Mediterranean as a whole is a very cutting-edge, very intelligent finding.'
Msgr. Bizzeti is the Apostolic Vicar of Turkey, a country of enormous dimensions where Christians are a minority. He will participate in the Bari meeting with a goal in mind.
MSGR. PAOLO BIZZETI
Apostolic Vicar for Anatolia
'I hope it will be the beginning of a process that also unites Christian Churches. I believe the Churches in the West know little about the life and wealth of the Eastern Churches.'
This knowledge and mutual support will surely help Christians throughout the Middle East. It's one reason why Pope Francis is attending this encounter: so more attention is called to the reality of violence and persecution which increasingly forces more Christians to leave their homeland.
Ángeles Conde
Melissa Butz
