During the Venice Biennale, Pope Francis made his first trip outside of Rome in seven months to visit a women’s prison in Venice. The Vatican exhibition is located in a Venetian prison on the island of Giudecca, where modern artists collaborated with detainees to create works of art.
The Pope met with more than eighty detainees, as well as prison guards, staff, and volunteers during his visit. In a courtyard, he acknowledged the harsh reality of prison life, including issues such as overcrowding, lack of facilities, and violence. He emphasized that prison can also be a place of moral and material rebirth, and that everyone deserves forgiveness despite their mistakes.
After visiting the prison, the Pope went to a church and celebrated mass in the Basilica of San Marco. Due to health issues, he arrived at the prison by helicopter. This visit was part of his plan to make four trips within Italy over the next three months, including attending the G7 summit in Bari. His long-awaited trip outside of Europe is scheduled for September, with Indonesia being one of the destinations.
In conclusion, Pope Francis’s visit to the women’s prison in Venice during the Venice Biennale symbolizes his commitment to addressing social issues and advocating for forgiveness and redemption for all individuals, regardless of their past mistakes.