Pope Francis presided over mass in St. Mark's Square in Venice while warning of environmental damage and over-tourism, in a closely watched visit marking the pontiff's first outside Rome since last year.

Venice

Pope Francis recently presided over a mass in Venice, at the iconic St. Mark's Square. In his address, the pontiff highlighted concerns over environmental degradation and the negative impacts of over-tourism. This mass marked Pope Francis's first visit outside of Rome since the previous year, drawing significant attention.

The Pope's visit began with a notable arrival at a women's prison in Venice, where he was transported by helicopter directly into the establishment's courtyard. During his visit, he emphasized the possibility of prisons serving as a place for both moral and material rebirth, underlining the importance of maintaining the dignity of individuals. Pope Francis also took time to explore a Vatican-sponsored art exhibit within the prison. This exhibit, part of this year’s Biennale, an annual arts festival in Venice, aimed to showcase the lives of inmates.

In a shift from traditional transport methods, the Pope then traveled by motorboat to engage with young people gathered along the canal banks. During this engagement, he shared a cautionary message about the excessive use of smartphones, urging the youth to cherish personal interactions over digital ones. He underscored the value of physical expressions of connection, such as kisses, hugs, and handshakes.

At the mass in St. Mark's Square, Pope Francis delivered a warning against the dangers presented by over-tourism, specifically referencing Venice’s recent implementation of an entrance fee for visitors. He spoke to the unique charm of Venice, stressing that the preservation of its natural and architectural beauty is paramount for the city’s sustainability.



Pope Francis holds mass in Venice's St Mark's Square

For the Pope's first visit outside Rome since late last year, the Vatican wanted something memorable. And that's what it got in Venice. Pope Francis began his trip at a prison for women, where he was flown in by helicopter to the courtyard. Prison is a harsh reality. But it can also become a place of moral and material rebirth, where the dignity of women and men is not put in isolation. The Pope also toured the Vatican's very own art exhibit, set up inside the prison to showcase the lives of inmates. It's the Vatican's entry for this year's Biennale, an arts festival held every year in Venice. And then, from one extravagant entrance to another, Pope Francis swapped his helicopter for a motorboat. Speaking to young people who had gathered along the banks of the canal, he told them to be wary of overusing smartphones. Do you know what a kiss, a hug or a handshake is? People. Don't forget that. Use your smartphone, but meet people. Presiding over Mass at St Mark's Square, he warned against the dangers of over-tourism in a city that only recently became the first in the world to introduce an entrance fee for tourists. He cited the enchanting beauty of Venice, a city, he said, that can only thrive with the care of its natural environment.

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