by InTrieste
The Generali Convention Center Trieste is abuzz with activity as preparations reach a fever pitch ahead of a landmark event: the Social Week of Italian Catholics, set to take place from July 3 to 7. The event, spread across various locations in Trieste, will be highlighted by a visit from Pope Francis.
The Generali Convention Center, the largest conference facility in Northeast Italy, situated along the scenic Adriatic coast, will serve as the epicenter for this significant gathering. It promises to be a week filled with introspection, dialogue, and spiritual rejuvenation for the 900 delegates expected to attend.
A Hub of Activity
From Thursday, July 4 to Saturday, July 6, the Convention Center will host a variety of events aimed at delegates from dioceses, associations, and movements. Morning sessions will feature biblical reflections, followed by plenary assemblies and afternoon Participation Workshops designed to delve deeply into various themes. Delegates will also partake in communal meals, fostering a sense of unity and shared purpose.
The concluding day, Sunday, July 7, will see Pope Francis address the delegates before heading to the city center for a grand Eucharistic Celebration.
Preparing for the Masses
The logistics of accommodating such a significant event are staggering. Preparations began 14 days in advance and currently involve 20 dedicated staff members, a number that will swell to 70 as the event progresses. The expansive complex, including Magazzini 27 and 28, covers 10,000 square meters and will utilize all six rooms and two halls.
The Generali Auditorium will host the morning plenary sessions, configured to seat 900 delegates. Afternoon sessions will take place in the hall of Magazzino 27, which will be set up with 35 thematic work tables, each seating 20 participants. Additional space for 10 tables will be provided in Magazzino 26. Magazzino 28 will accommodate 225 tables for delegate lunches and three specially arranged meeting areas for groups scheduled to meet with the Pope.
High-Tech and Humble
To ensure seamless audio and video connectivity, over 200 meters of additional cabling will be installed, complementing the Convention Center’s existing technological infrastructure. Two large LED screens will display essential information to attendees.
In keeping with the Pope’s teachings, the event’s decor will be simple and minimalist. The stage for Pope Francis will feature only a white armchair and a microphone. Floral decorations will be understated, using yellow and white flowers, symbolizing the Vatican’s colors.
A Historic First
For the first time, the Generali Convention Center will welcome a guest arriving by helicopter. Pope Francis, on his inaugural visit to Trieste, will land directly at Porto Vecchio, now known as Porto Vivo, in the outdoor spaces of the Center.
Welcoming the Pope
Security will be tight at the Convention Center on Sunday, July 7, as it prepares for the Pope’s arrival. At 8:15 a.m., local dignitaries, including Massimiliano Fedriga, President of the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia; Roberto Dipiazza, Mayor of Trieste; Pietro Signoriello, Prefect of Trieste and Government Commissioner for Friuli Venezia Giulia; and Enrico Trevisi, Bishop of Trieste, will greet the pontiff. Also in attendance will be Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, Monsignor Luigi Renna, and Philippe Donnet, Group CEO of Assicurazioni Generali.
Pope Francis will meet with three groups in specially prepared areas: Ecumenical Representatives, members of the academic community, and a selection of migrants and disabled individuals. Following these meetings, he will proceed to Piazza Unità for the main celebration. The mass will also be streamed live in the Generali Auditorium for those unable to attend in person.
A Venue Transformed
Roberto Morelli, president of the Generali Convention Center, expressed his excitement: “It is a great honor and deeply emotional that the Social Week of Italian Catholics is taking place at the Generali Convention Center with the presence and words of the Pope. We have been working for weeks with the organization of the Italian Episcopal Conference for such a unique occasion. The Convention Center proves to be an ideal venue: versatile, flexible, fully adequate, and capable of meeting both the security measures required for important presences and the need to create multiple spaces for meetings, dialogue, and exchange in a context of maximum accessibility. We are ready for an unforgettable week and Sunday.”
