DIRECT. Visit of Pope Francis to Marseille: the Vélodrome stadium is gradually filling up with Gad Elmaleh and Grégoire

Gad Elmaleh and Grégoire as room drivers at the Vélodrome

While people take their places at the Vélodrome for the Pope’s mass, choirs but also Gad Elmaleh and Grégoire set the mood to keep people waiting.

After a few songs from the group Glorious, comedian Gad Elmaleh would give testimony of his conversion and his faith, paying tribute to the “Good Mother”, the mother of Jesus, patroness of Marseille, in a sequence full of humor and depth. And Gad Elmaleh declared: “What a joy to be here, what a joy to be with you.” Before adding: “It’s the first time at the Vélodrome that we’re all for the same team.”

A very unusual 2.0 quest in the Vélodrome stadium

Donations can also be made by bank card and contactless at the entrance to the Vélodrome. A 2.0 quest.

The stadium is filling

One hour before the mass presided over by Pope Francis at the Vélodrome stadium, the stands and the pit are filled to the sound of the international Gen Rosso choir.

The little sisters of the poor in place

The little sisters of the poor of Marseille installed in the Vélodrome.

The Macron couple left on foot to reach their hotel

Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron left on foot from the Pharo to reach their hotel. The head of state shook hands with around ten people on the sidewalk opposite and the police

People are slowly settling into the Vélodrome

The aisles are still sparse at the Vélodrome stadium, but are starting to fill up little by little. You already have to go through the entrance, then the excavations to settle in. The doors will close at 3 p.m., before the mass presided over by Pope Francis which is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m.

Snipers, deminers, thorough searches… nothing is left to chance when it comes to security

To secure the arrival of two of the most protected personalities in the world, Pope Francis and President Emmanuel Macron, an extraordinary system was deployed on land, at sea, but also in the air with an “air bubble” protected by the the air force to avoid any intrusion, reinforced by an anti-drone device. To find out more, our dedicated article.

The security services carry out a meticulous and systematic search of all participants in the giant mass at the Vélodrome, once they have passed the access doors.undefined

The doors of the Vélodrome open

The hustle and bustle, but in calm and good humor, to pass through the gates of the Vélodrome stadium which opened punctually at 1 p.m. Nearly 60,000 faithful are expected for the giant mass this afternoon.

A compact crowd

Shortly before 1 p.m., in the space of ten minutes, a compact crowd had already formed in front of the access gates to the Vélodrome stadium.undefined

Queues in front of the Vélodrome

Lines form in front of the Vélodrome, before the doors open at 1 p.m. They will be closed at 3 p.m., for the celebration of this giant mass which should begin at 4:15 p.m.undefined

President Macron and his wife during a private interview

The Pope and President Macron spoke privately. The themes that were to be addressed are the war in Ukraine, the migration crisis, the situation in the Sahel, the environment… Brigitte Macron wanted to greet the sovereign pontiff.

Gérald Darmanin thanks the police

After applauding the pope and his message in favor of migrants, Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin sent a message to the police who are securing the pope’s arrival today.

Groups of faithful in place

In front of the parish of Le Rouet, near the Vélodrome, groups of faithful begin to form to advance towards the stadium, the doors of which will open at 1 p.m.

The meeting of the Pope and President Macron

The Pope and the President of the Republic Emmanuel Macron will now meet, although it is not officially a state visit to France.

Gérald Darmanin applauds the Pope after his remarks on migrants

Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin was seated in the front row in the auditorium of the Palais du Prado. After the pope called on countries to “welcome, protect and integrate” migrants, the minister applauded.

The Prado closed

In Marseille, the Prado was sealed off this Saturday morning, with an impressive force of law enforcement, in anticipation of the Pope’s visit this afternoon.

The Mediterranean “tomb of dignity”

In his speech, the pope explained that “the Mediterranean, cradle of civilization, becomes a tomb of dignity.”

“We must welcome migrants, protect them, support them”

The pope reiterated his message regarding migrants. “We must welcome migrants, protect them, support them, we must ensure their integration,” Pope Francis is currently pleading during a speech at the Mediterranean Meetings, at the Pharo Palace. He calls for “European responsibility” in the face of the migration phenomenon.

The nice video of Jean-Luc Reichmann meeting the Pope

The host and actor Jean-Luc Reichmann posted a video of the pope in Marseille on his Instagram account. He added: “When you come across Pope Francis in a Fiat 500 in the street and you come back from filming the series Léo Mattéï in Marseille. Incredible but true.”

The Pope is expected this Saturday morning in the northern districts of Marseille, in Saint-Maura, to share breakfast with migrants at the missionaries of charity, as specified BFM.

Excavations with demining teams

Mine clearance teams are sifting through all the bags and luggage at the Palais du Pharo where Pope Francis and President Macron are due to meet this morning.

A busy schedule this Saturday

A 8 h 45, private interview with the archbishop and around thirty people from precarious situations. A 10 h, closing session of the 3rd edition of the Mediterranean Meetings at the Palais du Pharo. A 11 h 30, interview with the President, Emmanuel Macron. A 12 h 30, lunch followed by a nap. A 16 h, stroll in a popemobile through the streets leading to the Vélodrome. A 16h 15, mass at the Vélodrome in front of 60,000 people. A 19 h 15, departure with a ceremony at Marignane airport.