This was the first time the pope visited Venice since his election in 2013.
The Vatican exhibition, “With my eyes”, was organized in the Giudecca women’s prison, where the Pope arrived by helicopter.
“Prison is a harsh reality, and issues such as overcrowding, lack of facilities and resources, and episodes of violence cause much suffering. But it can also become a place of moral and material rebirth,” he said.
“Let’s not forget that we all have mistakes that need to be forgiven and wounds that need to be healed,” he said.
The unusual decision to place the Holy See’s pavilion in the prison highlights Pope Francis‘ repeated call for society to come together for the sake of the poor and neglected, including prison inmates.
The Vatican exhibition features works by nine contemporary artists who worked closely with the prisoners on the project.
This is the Pope’s first trip beyond Rome since his brief visit to France last September. He was due to attend a climate change conference in the United Arab Emirates in December, but withdrew shortly before due to illness. In March, he unexpectedly did not participate in the Good Friday procession in order to preserve his health.
After leaving prison on Sunday, the head of the Catholic Church will talk to young people in Venice and then go to St. Mark’s Basilica. About ten thousand people are expected at the mass.
The trip to Venice is the first of four trips to Italy planned for the next three months. According to the plans, he will visit Verona in May and Trieste in July, and is also expected to participate in the June summit of the G7 leaders in Bari.
In September, his papacy will embark on its longest trip abroad, September 2-13. between Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, East Timor and Singapore.
2024-04-28 09:12:54