The Vatican has confirmed that Pope Francis will participate in the Mediterranean Meetings in Marseille, France. Bishops from all over the region will come together on September 22 and 23.
President Macron is expected to receive the Pope. However, as Pope Francis has said on other occasions, it will not be an official visit as Vatican Head of State to France.
The migratory crisis has consistently been one of the topics of discussion during these meetings. In 2020, it was held in Bari.
POPE FRANCIS
I find it meaningful that we have chosen to hold this meeting in the city of Bari, which is so important because of its ties to the Middle East as well as to the African continent.
The last meeting of Mediterranean bishops was held in Florence in February 2022. But Pope Francis was unable to attend due to his knee problems.
This papal trip will mark a historic milestone for Marseille, because Francis will be the second pope to visit after Clement VII in 1533.
PA
TR: KG
