Pope leads stadium mass in France after urging welcome for migrants
Pope Francis waves as he arrives to celebrate mass at the Velodrome stadium, in the southern port city of Marseille on September 23, 2023. The first pope in 500 years to visit the city of Marseille, Pope Francis is on a two-day visit for the concluding session of the Mediterranean Meetings, a Church-led initiative aiming to build community amongst the regions various peoples, religions, and cultures. (Photo by AFP)
Pope Francis on Saturday led tens of thousands of worshippers packed into a stadium for a mass in Marseille after earlier striding into a politically loaded debate in the French Mediterranean city by urging European states not to treat migrants as invaders.
The visit by Francis has been shadowed by the controversy over migrant arrivals in Europe, and his plea to welcome people puts him at odds with most EU governments in countries including Italy and France.
But the centrepiece of the visit was the mass at Marseille's main stadium the Velodrome stadium — usually the venue for rugby or football matches.
"Bonjour Marseille, bonjour la France!" the pontiff said in French as he opened the mass, which was also attended by President Emmanuel Macron.
Faithful holding up a huge tifo or banner wait for the arrival of Pope Francis inside the Velodrome stadium, in the southern port city of Marseille on September 23, 2023. The first pope in 500 years to visit the city of Marseille, Pope Francis is on a two-day visit for the concluding session of the Mediterranean Meetings, a Church-led initiative aiming to build community amongst the regions various peoples, religions, and cultures. (Photo by AFP)
Francis entered the stadium aboard his popemobile after being driven at a walking pace in the open-top vehicle through the streets of the city to receive the greetings of residents waving Vatican and French flags, AFP correspondents said.
Clutches of black- or white-robed priests and nuns were scattered through the crowds during the service, while volunteers distributed communion wafers.
According to local authorities, there were 50,000 people in the stadium while 100,000 had lined the streets during the pope's tour.
