Pope Francis recently made a rare outing to Venice, navigating the city’s complex layout by arriving via helicopter, water taxi, and popemobile. During his visit, he acknowledged the beauty and tradition of Venice as a place of East-West encounter, but also warned about the city’s vulnerability to climate change and depopulation. Venice is currently facing challenges such as sinking due to rising sea levels and overtourism, prompting Venetian authorities to implement a pilot program charging day-trippers on peak travel days to encourage longer stays or visits during off-peak times. The aim is to make the city more livable for its residents who are dwindling in number.
The exhibit that Pope Francis visited in Venice also includes a short film featuring inmates and Zoe Saldana, as well as prints by Corita Kent in the prison coffee shop. The 87-year-old pontiff’s visit to Venice included Mass in St. Mark’s Square, showcasing his commitment to engaging with different communities and addressing issues such as climate change and depopulation. Despite his health and mobility problems, the pope’s visit to Venice was seen as a welcome boost by Venice Catholic patriarch Archbishop Francesco Moraglia, who viewed it as a way to support the women of the Giudecca prison who participated in the exhibit.
Francis highlighted the importance of caring for Venice’s natural environment to ensure its survival, emphasizing the connection between the city and the water that surrounds it. The pope’s visit to the Venice Biennale marked the first time a pope had visited the event, bringing attention to the city’s cultural significance and the challenges it faces. The new tax program implemented in Venice to limit day trips and manage overtourism is seen as a necessary step to preserve the city as a livable space for both residents and visitors. Despite the challenges facing Venice, Pope Francis’ visit was seen as a positive development that brought attention to the city’s unique cultural heritage.
The exhibit at the Venice Biennale showcased artworks created by inmates in collaboration with artists like Zoe Saldana and prints by Corita Kent, a former Catholic nun and social activist. The involvement of inmates in the exhibit as tour guides and participants in the artworks highlighted the importance of art in rehabilitation and reintegration. The pope’s visit to Venice and his engagement with different communities demonstrated his commitment to addressing social issues and supporting marginalized groups. Overall, Pope Francis’ visit was seen as a positive and much-needed boost for Venice, drawing attention to the city’s challenges and the importance of preserving its cultural heritage.
