“A renewed faith,” confides Clémentine Tassy, who was able to attend Pope Francis’ mass at the Vélodrome in Marseille, in September 2023. If the 26-year-old young believer who is finishing her medical studies will not go to Corsica, where the Holy Father is expected in Ajaccio this Sunday, she responded to 20 Minutes to a few questions about what she kept from this unique moment.
What did you remember from the Pope’s visit to Marseille?
I attended the Pope’s mass at the Vélodrome and even though I was quite high up in the stands, I could see quite well with the broadcast on the big screen. What struck me was his arrival in the stadium and the moment of communion between all the people who were there. I had never experienced this, at least on such a large scale even though I had attended quite a few gatherings. The Pope is an important person for all of us who were there, and this moment of communion impressed me.
What messages do you remember?
I will say the gathering. The gathering of people. It just goes to show that we can all be together, despite all the cultural differences and different social backgrounds. But I don’t remember his speech very well, his words. That said, I am left with his serenity, his very calm voice and the way in which he captivated the audience. I also found that despite his age, he was quite open, oriented towards youth. He wants to make the Church open a little more to modernity and make the Church a little more accessible. I think it’s good even if I haven’t really known any other popes.
Remember the Pope at the Vélodrome
Is this an important moment in your journey as a believer?
Or. And I found that there was then a renewal of faith. Because we realize that there are many people around us who believe. And as there are fewer and fewer people practicing, when we find ourselves at such large gatherings, we say to ourselves that in fact we are full of people in this case, and that gives us a bit of relief. energy to our faith.
