Jesuits in action for the Rencontres Méditerranéennes and the Pope's visit to Marseille

From 17 to 24 July, Marseille hosted the Rencontres Méditerranéennes, following in the footsteps of Bari and Florence. 70 bishops from 30 countries around the Mediterranean took part, including two Jesuits: Archbishop Theodore Kodidis of Athens and Bishop Antoine Audo of Aleppo. 70 young people from different countries, backgrounds and religions were also present.

The aim of these meetings is to build and share the same hope within the mosaic of peoples, cultures and religions that make up the Mediterranean.

These meetings were accompanied by a festival open to all, to give a wider taste of the event. Local residents and pilgrims from all over France and the Mediterranean were invited to concerts, conferences, debates, theatre, etc. organised by church movements, solidarity associations, cultural players, etc.

The high point of the Rencontres Méditerranéennes was Pope François' visit to the Phocaean city on 22 and 23 September.

The Pope came to close the bishops' assembly and the youth session, after entrusting the meeting to the intercession of the Virgin Mary from the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde, and praying for the migrants who died at sea, in the presence of representatives of other faiths and religions.

On the afternoon of 23 September, he celebrated a mass open to all at the Velodrome stadium in the presence of 60,000 people. By coming to Marseilles, the Pope was continuing the Mediterranean pilgrimage he began in 2013, thus reaffirming his particular attention as pastor to the peoples of the Mediterranean.

For several months, the Marseille Jesuit community rallied around the event: "The Jesuits were present throughout the Rencontres," explains Fr Michel Joseph sj. Two Jesuit centres in Marseille, the church of Saint-Ferréol and the Maison Montolieu, opened their doors to the public for the vigil on 22 September. The Ignatian family was also present throughout the event.