Pope Francis will pay a one-day visit to the capital of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region at the beginning of July. The visit of the Bishop of Rome to Trieste will take place as part of the 50th Social Week, announced the Bishop of the Diocese of Trieste, Enrico Trevisi.
Silvija Krivteža – Vatican
While presenting the program of the Social Week, which will take place from July 3 to 7, the organizers of the event also pointed out the visit of Pope Francis. The Holy Father will arrive in Trieste on the morning of July 7. Before that, Italian bishops and believers will participate in the Social Week events, discussing together the development of their country. Its theme: “At the center of democracy.” Participation between history and the future».
According to Bishop Enrico Trevisi, on the morning of July 7 (at 8:00 a.m.), Francis will arrive by helicopter at the Trieste Exhibition and Trade Center, located in the Old Port (Porto Vecchio) area. The guests of the Vatican will be welcomed by civil and Church authorities, including the president of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Cardinal Matteo Maria Dzupi.
Francis will then address the participants of the Social Week, followed by meetings with leaders of other Christian denominations and religions in the city, representatives of the academic world, as well as migrants and people with disabilities.
Later, the Pope will go by car to Trieste’s Unity Square (Piazza Unità), where he will lead the Sunday service and recite the “Angel of the Lord” prayer. It is planned that at 12.30 The Holy Father will return to the Vatican.
The 50th Italian Catholic meeting will end with the address of Pope Francis. The Social Week will start on July 3 with a welcome speech by Italian President Sergio Mattarella. The main theme of the meeting is the participation of citizens in the development of a democratic society. During it, lectures, seminars, various sports and cultural events will take place in the city squares.
According to Archbishop Giuseppe Batturi, Secretary General of the Italian Bishops’ Conference, the presence of Pope Francis and Italian President Sergio Mattarella “shows how important the meeting in Trieste is for the life of the entire country”, during which “the contribution of Catholics to overcoming the challenges of Italy, Europe and the world will be highlighted”.
“We cannot talk about participation, democracy and the common good, forgetting about the people in various difficulties,” – acknowledged Bishop Enrico Trevisi. “The maturity of democracy also depends on how the most vulnerable people are accepted and integrated,” he added.
Speaking about the situation in Trieste, the bishop explained that the city is on the so-called “Balkan road”, and migration “is an issue that, as we know, is very difficult and complicated, and Pope Francis must welcome migrants with respect”.
Bishop Trevisi said that near the Trieste train station there is a dilapidated building without water or electricity, where many migrants have found refuge. According to him, such a situation is “unworthy”, and that, despite the difficulties, “we hope to find a solution to the problem”.
