Pope Francis meets with people living in poverty in Marseille
Pope
Francis starts his second day in Marseille with an encounter with
people facing financial difficulty and a brief meeting with the
Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Margaritis Schinas.
On
Saturday morning, Pope Francis held a brief meeting with Mr. Margaritis
Schinas, the Vice-President of the European Commission, at the
Archbishop's Residence in Marseille.
He also met with several people working for various organizations that rescue migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea.
Pope Francis shakes hands with Mr. Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission
Pope Francis holds a lifejacket
Afterwards,
he traveled to the residence of the Missionaries of Charity, which is
in Saint-Mauront, considered the poorest neighbourhood in France.
Speaking
to the religious sisters and several people facing financial hardship,
Pope Francis encouraged everyone to overcome political, social, or
religious differences in order to build fraternity.
"Fraternity
unites us," said the Pope. "It is a prophetic act to live as brothers
and sisters. Beyond all religious or political differences, we are
brothers and sisters."
Several people greet the Pope
According
to Sister Crosvita, one of the Missionaries serving in the facility,
the soup kitchen serves lunch to around 250 people every day, except
Thursday, their day of rest.
Asked why she and her sisters carry
out their mission on behalf of the poor, Sr. Crosvita said simply: "To
see Christ in others, in any person whom we meet." Dignity and migration
The
Pope has traveled to the city to take part in the conclusion of the
Mediterranean Meetings, which gathered around 70 bishops and 120 young
people from across the region.
Held annually, the Meetings seek
to highlight the issue of migration and the need for the Church and
civil leaders to recognize people's inherent dignity, even if they are
forced to leave their homelands in search of a better life.
Pope Francis wraps up the week-long encounter on Saturday, before celebrating Mass in Marseille and returning to Rome.
John 8:12 “I am the lights of the world, whoever follows me will have the light of life” 1John 4:8 "God is Love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him."
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