He wanted to go to Ostia in person because «it is an important port for the history of the world, of the Church, of Sant’Agostino and Santa Monica. Being an Augustinian I have come to this area many times because Ostia has always been a very important port. Very important today because you are here”. Pope Leo, visiting the children of the peace training ship “Med 25 – Bel Espoir”, expresses all his affection and encourages them to go forward to build relationships of peace. “Working for peace,” he told them, “requires a certain maturity and altruism to understand the needs of others and then collaborate in finding a solution that allows everyone to prosper.” And, again, he insists, «Jesus teaches us that forgiveness is essential to achieve peace: in fact, it is only when we abandon prejudices, resentments or bitterness and receive forgiveness for our mistakes that we can first receive the gift of peace and then share it with others». Welcomed by the cardinal, Jean-Marc Aveline, who strongly supported the initiative, greeted the young people on the ship one by one. 29 meters long, it sailed the seas reaching, as the Archbishop of Marseille explained, Malta, Crete and Cyprus. «It should have arrived in Lebanon, but Israel’s war prevented it. In Istanbul, however, they were received by Patriarch Bartholomew who is very fond of this project.”
«Every month», Leone underlined, «a unique group of young people representing various religions, cultures and nationalities» was brought together on the ship». Browsing “gave them the opportunity to connect with each other, discuss various topics and even participate in group tasks. This type of experience offers wonderful insight into the joys and difficulties of building relationships with people from different backgrounds, and then working together towards a shared goal. There may have been moments of discomfort, but it is precisely in those moments that we are able to grow and mature in our understanding of ourselves and also of the other person.”
Finally, in his greeting in English, he exhorted them, «as you return to your homes”, to remember “the lessons learned. Use them to promote dialogue, a vision of a shared common goal, and the joys that come from meeting different people.”. The ship “Med 25- Bel Espoir” is preparing to finish its journey, as the Pontiff himself recalled, «after eight months of navigation in the Mediterranean, visiting 30 ports and transporting 200 young people».
(photo, Aigav pool)
