In Marseille, an important security device deployed to welcome the pope

Stéphane Burgatt (correspondent in Marseille)/Photo credit: NICOLAS TUCAT / AFP 09:48, September 22, 2023

Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive at 16:15 p.m. on Friday. Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne will be present to welcome him. Emmanuel Macron will meet with the Holy Father this Saturday before the high mass at the Velodrome. In terms of security, the France has mobilized a significant number of resources to secure this historic visit.

>> READ ALSO - Visit of Pope Francis: why did the sovereign pontiff choose to come to Marseille?

The critical moment of the crowd bath

Nine months of consultation were necessary to build the security network around the Holy Father, both spiritual leader and head of state. Nearly 5,000 police and gendarmes will be mobilized on the ground. The security device will also be maritime and air: "The air force and space puts us a bubble of air protection to prevent any threat that comes from the sky. Some reception sites have a maritime facade so there will also be maritime gendarmerie resources," explains Frédérique Camilleri, police prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône.

Surveys were also carried out among civilian service providers working on the Mediterranean Meetings and on the preparation of the Mass. A few profiles have been discarded as a precautionary principle. The police are holding their breath on one sequence in particular: the pope's half-hour crowd bath on Prado Avenue.

>> READ ALSO - Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica prepares for the Pope's historic visit to Marseille

"You have to consider that when you have a personality like the pope, everything is sensitive. Indeed, this crowd bath through the popemobile is the most critical moment. When we go to the stadium, we are much less worried because we know how to do it, "says Rudy Manna, spokesman for the police union Alliance.

At least 5,000 pilgrims are expected for the Holy Father's crowd bath.