Pope Francis Reflects on Mass Tourism in Venice
02-05-24
At a critical time for the global discussion on mass tourism, Pope Francis has made a significant contribution to the debate during a visit to Venice, one of the cities most affected by this issue. In his first departure from Rome for the year, the Pontiff officiated a Mass in the iconic St. Mark's Square, using the occasion to speak about the challenges facing the city, both in terms of climate change and the impact of tourism.
Pope Francis highlighted how mass tourism can deteriorate not only the cultural and architectural heritage of cities, but also social relations, promoting a sense of individualism and loneliness among residents. He stressed that the beauty and survival of Venice are at risk if measures are not taken to properly control and manage tourist crowds, which include regulating the traffic of large cruise ships that affect the foundations of the city and displace the local population.