The MED25 Bel Espoir project has concluded in Marseille after an intense eight-month journey across the Mediterranean, becoming a powerful sign of hope, fraternity, and commitment to peace.
As part of RFMed, Fray Fausto took part in the first stage of the journey, from Barcelona to Tetouan, accompanying a group of 20 young people from 14 nationalities representing the five shores of the Mediterranean. The final stage ended in Marseille, where young participants and companions of this phase were joined by many participants from the previous seven stages.
Young People at the Heart of a Peace That Is Possible
On October 25, the Bel Espoir arrived at the port of Marseille after departing fifteen days earlier from Naples and passing through Ostia. Its arrival was celebrated with a large Festival for Peace on the J4 esplanade, featuring round tables, participatory workshops, outdoor activities, and an open stage dedicated to Mediterranean cultural expressions.
The pilgrimage concluded on October 26 with the celebration of the Eucharist at the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de la Major, presided over by Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille.
Young People at the Heart of a Peace That Is Possible
The project coordinator, Father Alexis Leproux, highlighted the central role played by the young participants:
“Throughout this year, the young people of MED25 Bel Espoir have become actors and witnesses of a peace that is always possible. They have shown that it is possible, even in a very small space, to build a joyful and peaceful fraternity. Our future is largely in their hands.”
The project also expressed gratitude to the local Churches and bishops of the host cities, as well as to the eight monasteries that accompanied the journey through constant prayer.
A Project Inspired by Pope Francis’ Call
Cardinal Aveline recalled that this initiative was born from the appeal launched by Pope Francis during the MED23 Mediterranean Meetings in Marseille, inviting young people to help transform the Mediterranean into a true “laboratory of peace.”
From this call emerged the idea of embarking young people from all Mediterranean countries on a sailing ship, the Bel Espoir, to travel together from city to city and reflect on today’s major challenges: peace and justice, care for creation, migration, and interreligious dialogue.
Since its departure from the port of Barcelona on March 1, the ship has sailed through Morocco, Sicily, Tunisia, Malta, Crete, Cyprus, Istanbul, Athens, Albania, several Italian cities, and France, finally reaching Marseille.
Dialogue as the Path to Peace
On board the Bel Espoir, young people shared daily life in close quarters, learning to listen, to engage in dialogue, and to respect one another, overcoming difficulties and building bonds through shared experiences, culture, music, and traditions.
This experience has been described as a true “school of peace,” where participants learn to work together, imagine a better future, and patiently weave a culture of encounter.
A Sign of Hope for the World
On October 17, during a visit to the ship in the port of Ostia, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the young participants with these words: “Today’s world needs, more than words, signs and gestures that convey hope. Through the very name of this ship and through your commitment, you are a true sign of hope for the Mediterranean and for the world.”
The Pope emphasized three key elements lived during the journey: constant dialogue, respectful coexistence in diversity, and the call to be artisans of peace in a world increasingly marked by violence and polarization.
Looking Ahead
More than 100 young people from across the Mediterranean gathered in Marseille to celebrate the conclusion of this journey, which does not mark an end, but rather opens new paths of shared commitment.
MED25 Bel Espoir leaves a clear message: peace is possible when it is built through encounter, fraternity, and shared responsibility for one another and for our common home.
