VENICE, Italy (AP) — Venice has always been a place of contrasts, of breathtaking beauty and devastating fragility, where history, religion, art and nature have collided over the centuries to produce an otherworldly gem of a city. But even for a place that prides itself on its culture of unusual encounters, Pope Francis’ visit Sunday stood out. Francis traveled to the lagoon city to visit the Holy See’s pavilion at the Biennale contemporary art show and meet with the people who created it. But because the Vatican decided to mount its exhibit in Venice’s women’s prison, and invited inmates to collaborate with the artists, the whole project assumed a far more complex meaning, touching on Francis’ belief in the power of art to uplift and unite, and of the need to give hope and solidarity to society’s most marginalized. Francis hit on both messages during his visit, which began in the courtyard of the Giudecca prison where he met with the women inmates one by one. As some of them wept, Francis urged them to use their time in prison as a chance for “moral and material rebirth.” |
China poised for strong recovery in 2023, says Morgan Stanley economistOldest living conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, die at 62To ensure that the global economy grows on right trackVillage in E China's Shandong thrives on Spring Festival couplets industryCommentary: Why Washington's rage over China's Micron ban is calling white blackXi inspects spring farming workJointly mapping out new blueprint for global biodiversity conservationNewcastle routs Tottenham at home again as Isak scores twice in 4Oldest living conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, die at 62OJ Simpson murder trial: The TV, movies, books and podcasts