On May 11th, some of Stella Maris’ European chaplains and ship visitors had the privilege of meeting Pope Francis. We presented him with a special Stella Maris hi-viz vest. Thank you, Pope Francis, for your concern and care for seafarers, fishers, and people of the sea.
The day before, Fr Bruno Ciceri, International Director of the Stella Maris network, accompanied by Captain Esteban Pacha, Chair of Stella Maris UK, and Martin Foley, Stella Maris European Regional Coordinator, met in the Vatican Secretariat of State with the Under Secretary, Francesca Di Giovanni, and with Dr. Sara Gioia.
The purpose of the meeting was to strengthen collaboration between the Secretariat of State, Stella Maris UK and the Apostolic Nunciature in the UK so as to facilitate the participation of the Holy See at the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), based in London, on issues of mutual interest to the Holy See and IMO.”
The work of seafarers, fishers and their families is critical to our way of life. Yet all too often they are neglected and marginalised. Stella Maris, through our pastoral care, assures these men and women that the Church does not forget them and is alongside them in all the trials, joys and challenges of their lives.
Fr Bruno, Captain Esteban and Martin also spoke to them about Stella Maris’ work, particularly our response to the war in Ukraine from Odesa and Poland.
With seafarers from Ukraine representing five percent of the global population of seafarers and Russian seafarers ten percent, Stella Maris chaplains in Odesa, Ukraine and in other ports around the world have been providing additional support to all seafarers affected by the war and to their families.
You can find out more at https://www.stellamaris.org.uk/ukraine-response/
Photos of Pope Francis are copyright: © Vatican Media