Young People Set Sail for Peace in the Mediterranean
A unique initiative following an appeal by Pope Francis before his death is underway
The sailing ship Bel Espoir (Good Hope) crosses the Mediterranean and comes to Cyprus from 6 to 9 June 6 2025
Following the appeal made by Pope Francis during his final address at the Mediterranean Meetings in Marseille — for unity, understanding, and reconciliation in a region rich in culture but deeply wounded by division — 200 young people from 25 countries embarked on a unique sea voyage in pursuit of peace. The journey, which will continue until October 2025, was officially launched at the Vatican in February 2025 and received the blessing of Pope Francis before his death.
The participants, representing different nationalities, religions, and cultural backgrounds, set sail in March 2025 aboard the historic three-masted ship Bel Espoir (“Good Hope”), as part of the interreligious and intercultural initiative MED25 Odyssey – Bel Espoir. This initiative is not merely a symbolic voyage – it is a floating laboratory of dialogue and peace, a moving symbol of cooperation and unity among Mediterranean people. “We refuse to let the Mediterranean become either a battlefield or a graveyard,” declared the organizers.
Cyprus represents a key stop on the journey with the theme Interreligious Dialogue. From June 6 to 9, the ship and the young people will be in Cyprus, where they will engage in local activities with youth organizations, community and religious leaders and representatives in Nicosia and Larnaca, focusing on dialogue and peacebuilding in a conflict zone and the shared challenges and opportunities across the Mediterranean. Cultural exchanges and public events will also take place, highlighting Cyprus’s vital role as a bridge between Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and North Africa.
Over the course of seven months, Bel Espoir will visit around 30 ports across five Mediterranean shores – North Africa, the Middle East, the Black Sea and Aegean, the Balkans, and Europe – including a key stop in Cyprus from June 6 to 9. So far, the ship has visited Barcelona, Morocco, Sicily, Tunisia, Malta, and Crete, and after Cyprus, it will continue to destinations such as Lebanon, Turkey and Greece.
The 200 participants, from different faith communities and backgrounds, divided into eight groups of 25, live, work, and learn together aboard the ship. At each port of call, they collaborate with local communities and organizations, fostering intercultural dialogue and social cohesion. Workshops are held on key topics such as interfaith dialogue, human rights, environmental justice, and migration.
“This journey is not simply a dream,” said one of the organizers. “It is a concrete process of peacebuilding that young people are embracing with courage, talent, and commitment.” When the voyage concludes, participants will return home as “ambassadors of peace,” committed to carrying out the mission in their local communities.
As Pope Francis reminded the world, “Peace is not just the absence of war, but the presence of hope, justice, and shared humanity.” And his successor, Pope Leo XIV, in his first words to the crowds after his election, in St Peter’s Square, repeated “Peace be with all of you!” and later insisted “Stop the war and support every initiative for dialogue and peace.” The MED25 Odyssey – Bel Espoir aims to bring that vision to life — spreading a powerful message from port to port, person to person, including in today’s divided Cyprus.
[)‘ The full program of the Cyprus visit is attached and for more information, photos, and videos about the journey and the mission of MED25 Odyssey – Bel Espoir, you can visit the official website:
med25belespoir.org For enquiries telephone +357 99921474]