«We wanted to open this path in the sea as a sign of hope»

Welcome address by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille, upon the arrival of Bel Espoir in Marseille on October 25 last. 

Two years ago, on the morning of September 23, 2023, right behind me in the auditorium of the Palais du Pharo, we had the joy of welcoming Pope Francis to Marseille on the occasion of the MED23 Mediterranean meetings. What an unforgettable memory for all the Marseillais and for all those who joined us for this great celebration!

During this visit, the Holy Father had entrusted the young people of the Mediterranean with the mission of building peace:

« On the current sea of conflicts, – had he told us – we are here to enhance the contribution of the Mediterranean, so that it can once again become a laboratory of peace. For that is its vocation: to be a place where different countries and realities meet on the basis of the humanity we all share, and not on the basis of ideologies that oppose each other.»

From this call, a somewhat crazy project was born: to embark young people from all the countries of the Mediterranean on a sailboat, the Beautiful Hope, To connect our five shores, to weave links between our peoples. We wanted to go from town to town, meeting our neighbor, for about eight sessions of about fifteen days each, with about twenty young people on board, sharing life, the joys, the laughter, and also the difficult moments, and reflecting together on one of the challenges that concern the Mediterranean today, whether it be the environmental challenge, the challenge of peace and justice, the flow of migratory flows, the interreligious dialogue, or others. We wanted to open this path in the sea as a sign of hope, a safe path amidst the waves, as a providential reflection of the love with which God loves every human being, whether they know it or not. We also wanted to show our closeness to our brothers and sisters who live or rather try to survive in war-torn countries, or who wander, at the risk of their lives, on migration routes fraught with danger.

Since the 1st^er March, the day the boat set sail from the port of Barcelona, we hoisted our sails to catch the wind of hope. And today, after a long journey from Barcelona to Marseille, via Morocco, Sicily, Tunisia, Malta, Crete, Cyprus, Lebanon, which could only be glimpsed from afar, Istanbul, Athens, Durrës in Albania, Trieste, Ravenna, Bari, Naples, Ostia, off the coast of Rome, and Bonifacio, the boat has arrived safely at its destination. And we, two years after the call that Pope Francis had made to us from the Palace of Pharo, are gathered at Mucem, symbolically crossing the other side of the Vieux Port as well… on the other bank!

Because that’s what it’s all about, moving from one shore to the other. On this« sea between the lands »This Mediterranean Sea that the mayor of Florence, Giorgio La Pira, loved to watch as a great lake of Tiberias, the Beautiful Hope It was not up to the task of facing the American aircraft carriers in the waters near Lebanon, but on this fragile vessel, young people learned to live encounters that change their lives, by introducing each one to the other’s country, through the narrative they provide, the cuisines, music and customs that characterize it. They learned that dialogue is the surest path to peace.

In good weather as well as in storms, sometimes sharing the effects of seasickness, but also, and more often, the joy of cooking, singing, and dancing together, gradually the conditions were met for exchanges to take place in truth, for dreams and hopes, for pain and worries to be shared, for a new hope to emerge, that of a Mediterranean of Peace.

This boat thus became the setting for a « A life-changing experience »As some have mentioned," said the Rector. A small school that allows us to learn to listen to ourselves, deeply and truthfully. A school where we learn to speak to one another with esteem and respect. But also, and this is why we are committed, a school where we begin to work together, to concretely imagine a better future, to cooperate to unite our strengths and our enthusiasm. The task remains immense, and your presence here today is a tremendous encouragement to continue this patient work of weaving the peace that is the building of peace.

Thank you all who honor this day with your presence. Thank you for sharing our joy in welcoming Bel Espoir and the young people on board! But also those who joined us in recent days and who participated in other sessions of the MED25 odyssey, in the MED24 meetings, notably in Tirana, or who were already among us in Marseille in 2023. There are more than 100 young people from all the countries of the Mediterranean who are gathered in Marseille today, and it is for us a great joy to welcome you!

And what joy, what recognition, what encouragement was the visit of Pope Leo himself on the boat, last week in the port of Ostia! Upon arriving, he said to us these few words, which I take the liberty of repeating this morning: «Today’s world needs, more than words, signs and gestures that carry hope. Just by the name of this boat, as well as by your presence here today, you are truly a sign of hope, not only for the Mediterranean, but for the world. […] May your generation, and many more young people like you, continue to promote this type of initiative, which will truly contribute to growing peace throughout the world.»

This is our wish for all of us! Be deeply grateful for helping us realize it.

+ Jean-Marc Cardinal Aveline