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ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis laughs with a Missionary of Charity ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis laughs with a Missionary of Charity  (VATICAN MEDIA Divisione Foto)

ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis meets with people living in poverty in Marseille

ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ 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.

By Devin Watkins

On Saturday morning, ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ 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.

ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis shakes hands with Mr. Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission
ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis shakes hands with Mr. Margaritis Schinas, Vice-President of the European Commission   (Vatican Media)
ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis holds a lifejacket
ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis holds a lifejacket   (Vatican Media)

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, ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis encouraged everyone to overcome political, social, or religious differences in order to build fraternity.

"Fraternity unites us," said the ÐÓMAPµ¼º½. "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 ÐÓMAPµ¼º½
Several people greet the ÐÓMAPµ¼º½   (Vatican Media)

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 ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ 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.

ÐÓMAPµ¼º½ Francis wraps up the week-long encounter on Saturday, before celebrating Mass in Marseille and returning to Rome.

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23 September 2023, 09:37