In a powerful symbol of unity and hope, Pope Leo XIV visited a group of young people aboard the Bel Espoir schooner in Ostia, Italy, as part of the Catholic Church’s 2025 “Mediterranean Encounters” initiative. The vessel, aptly named “School of Peace,” has been sailing across the Mediterranean with young participants from different faiths and nationalities to foster understanding and dialogue amid rising global tensions.
The Bel Espoir, built in 1944 and recently restored, has hosted over 200 youths aged 19 to 35 from countries including Libya, Egypt, France, and Bosnia since March. Together, they’ve journeyed from Naples to Marseille, engaging in discussions on peace, culture, and coexistence while performing shared tasks like cooking and cleaning aboard the ship.
During his visit, Pope Leo encouraged the group to “listen in a world increasingly prone to violence, hatred, and separation.” The pontiff joined the participants for pastries in the ship’s small dining area before delivering a heartfelt message on the deck. “Today’s world needs signs and testimonies that give hope more than words,” he said.
Participants described the voyage as transformative. Christina Hilana, a 27-year-old Palestinian, shared that leaving her conflict-torn homeland was difficult but spiritually uplifting. Similarly, Fatima Al-Wardi, a 30-year-old Muslim humanitarian from Baghdad, said the journey gave her courage and faith in humanity despite Iraq’s turbulent past.
Catholic priest Alexis Leproux, co-organiser of the project, called it “a culture of encounter” — a practical way to replace conflict with cooperation. On land, the initiative continues with seminars and workshops across Mediterranean cities, expanding its message of peace and mutual respect.
As Pope Leo XIV’s visit drew to a close, participants danced the dabke — an Arabic folk dance — arm in arm, embodying the harmony and shared humanity that the School of Peace aims to inspire across borders.
