The Dicastery for Culture and Education and the Patriarchate of Venice announced that on Sunday, April 28, Pope Francis will visit the Italian city of Venice, known worldwide as one of the most emblematic settings for art and culture.

During his stay in the "city of canals," the Holy Father will undertake a series of activities that will include his participation in the 60th International Art Exhibition of the Venice Biennale 2024.

In a joint statement released on February 13, it is detailed that the Pontiff will visit the Holy See pavilion, where works of art of significant cultural and spiritual relevance will be displayed. Furthermore, Francis will have a meeting with the ecclesiastical community of the Patriarchate of Venice, which encompasses 128 parishes in the province.

The final program of this visit will be communicated in detail soon, adds the publication.

What is the Venice Art Biennale? 

The Venice Biennale is one of the most important events in the contemporary art world and has been held biennially since 1895. It is famous for its focus on showcasing contemporary artworks from artists around the world, including painting, sculpture, installations, cinema, music, theater, and dance. The Venice Biennale has two main parts: the International Art Exhibition, which presents works by artists from different countries selected by national curators, and the International Architecture Exhibition, which follows a similar format but focuses on contemporary architecture.

In 2013, the Holy See participated for the first time in the Venice Biennale with a pavilion inspired by the biblical story of Genesis, titled "In the Beginning".

According to Vatican News, Pope Francis will make history by becoming the fourth Pope to visit the canals and streets of Venice, following in the footsteps of his predecessors, Paul VI in 1972, John Paul II in 1985, and Benedict XVI in 2011.

This article was originally published on ACI Prensa.