Mayor of Genova Marco Bucci donates The Ocean Race Genova - The Grand Finale flag to His Holiness Pope Francis

The meeting was focussed on a shared interest in sustainability...The Ocean Race Genova
On Wednesday morning the Mayor of Genova, Marco Bucci, and the President of the Steering Committee of "The Ocean Race Genova The Grand Finale" Evelina Christillin were received in an audience by Pope Francis at the Vatican.
Mayor Bucci presented the Pontiff with the flag of "The Ocean Race Genova - The Grand Finale" and the competition received a blessing from the Pope with arrival of the boats expected in Genova later this month.
"We would like to thank Pope Francis for allowing us to present him with what will be an extraordinarily important moment for Genova," commented Mayor Marco Bucci.
"The Pontiff brought his blessing to the event that we will welcome in our city from the 24th June. The Holy Father's interest in The Ocean Race fills us with pride and once again confirms the importance of this event on a global level. We had a moment full of meaning that gives us even more strength and enthusiasm as we wait for The Grand Finale. I thank Pope Francis for the warm welcome, and on behalf of the city of Genova we wish him a speedy recovery."
Together with Mayor Bucci, Deputy Mayor Pietro Piciocchi was also present at the audience.
"It was a very strong emotion to be able to meet the Holy Father and offer him the flag of The Ocean Race Genova - The Grand Finale, which he blessed," commented the Chairwoman of the Steering Committee of The Ocean Race Genova-The Grand Finale.
"Respect for the environment and for the protection of the seas has been reiterated several times in the Pontiff's speeches, and it was important to reaffirm these fundamental themes today, on the eve of World Oceans Day. A subject that Genova has embraced with great commitment, giving a strong impulse to the writing of the first draft of the Charter of the Rights of the Oceans through the Genova Process".
The Pope also received a nautical chart made by the Hydrographic Institute of Genova representing the legs of this 14th edition of The Ocean Race.
“We are truly moved and thankful for Pope Francis in extending his blessings and support. It is humbling to see His Holiness take an interest in The Ocean Race and especially our purpose to restore ocean health, which we share with Mayor Bucci and his team. This inspires and motivates us even more in our work towards a healthier ocean for the benefit of everyone,” said Richard Brisius, the Race Chairman of The Ocean Race.
“When we race around the world it becomes clear that the ocean is not a dividing area, but a connecting point, a common ground for all of mankind. With that perspective, we will continue our work towards ocean rights, acknowledging that as humans we are intimately interconnected with the ccean and all of nature.”