Pope Francis made a special visit to Venice, a city known for its beauty and fragility, to attend the Biennale art show at the Holy See’s pavilion, located in a women’s prison. The exhibit, which involved collaboration with inmates, highlighted Francis’ belief in art’s power to uplift and unite, as well as the importance of giving hope to marginalized individuals. During his visit, Francis met with the women inmates and encouraged them to use their time in prison for moral and material rebirth. He also met with the Biennale artists and urged them to embrace the theme of “Strangers Everywhere” to show solidarity with those on the margins.
The Vatican exhibit at the Giudecca prison has become a must-see attraction at this year’s Biennale, drawing visitors with its unique installations and collaborations with inmates. The exhibit features artwork, a short film starring the inmates and Zoe Saldana, and prints by Corita Kent in the prison coffee shop. Despite his health and mobility issues, Francis successfully navigated Venice, arriving by helicopter and traveling around the city in a mini popemobile. During his visit, Francis acknowledged Venice’s beauty and tradition as a place of East-West encounter but also highlighted the city’s vulnerability to climate change and depopulation.
Venice, sinking under rising sea levels and struggling with overtourism, recently implemented a pilot program to charge day-trippers to encourage longer stays and reduce crowds. Archbishop Francesco Moraglia of Venice sees this program as a necessary step to preserve the city for residents and visitors. Despite the complex history between Venice and the papacy, Moraglia welcomed Francis’ visit as a positive boost for the city, especially for the women involved in the exhibit at the Giudecca prison. Venice’s role as a bridge between cultures was emphasized during the visit, as Francis urged the city to be a sign of beauty, fraternity, and care for the common home.
The history of Venice’s relationship with the papacy has been characterized by contrasts, with periods of conflict and competition alongside moments of cooperation and cultural exchange. Despite historical tensions between the independent Venetian Republic and the Papal States, Venice has always been a place of encounter and dialogue between different cultures. Francis’ visit to Venice symbolized a continuation of this tradition, as he emphasized the city’s role as a sign of beauty and care for all. The visit concluded with Mass in St. Mark’s Square, where Francis spoke to a crowd of thousands, highlighting the importance of fraternity and stewardship of the environment in a city at risk from climate change and over-tourism.
