Pope Francis addresses seafarers stranded on ships or out of work

ROME - While travel restrictions continue in the hope of slowing down the spread of the coronavirus, Pope Francis has offered his prayers and solidarity to those who work at sea and have been unable to go ashore or have been unable to work.

In a video message on June 17, the pope told seafarers and people who fish for a living that "in recent months, your lives and your work have seen significant changes; you have had to do and are continuing to make many sacrifices. "

"Long periods spent on ships without being able to disembark, separation from families, friends and native countries, fear of infection - all these things are a heavy burden to bear, now more than ever," said the pope.

Antonio Guterres, UN secretary general, issued an appeal on June 12 asking governments to classify seafarers as "essential workers" so that those stranded on ships in port can go ashore and so that new crews they can rotate to keep shipping going.

"The ongoing crisis is having a direct impact on the maritime transport sector, which transports more than 80% of the goods exchanged - including basic medical supplies, food and other basic needs - essential for the response and recovery of COVID- 19, "said a United Nations statement.

Due to travel restrictions linked to COVID, hundreds of thousands of 2 million seafarers around the world have been "stranded at sea for months," said Guterres.

In late April, the International Labor Organization reported that approximately 90.000 seafarers were stranded on cruise ships - which had no passengers - due to travel restrictions of COVID-19 and that in some ports not even seafarers who needed to medical treatment could go to hospitals ground.

On other ships, the shipping company prohibits crews from disembarking for fear of being able to bring the coronavirus on board on their return.

Expressing gratitude to the seafarers and fishermen for the work done, Pope Francis also assured them that they are not alone and are not forgotten.

"Your work at sea often keeps you separate from others, but you are close to me in my thoughts and prayers and in those of your chaplains and volunteers from Stella Maris", the centers around the world managed by the Apostolate of the Sea.

"Today I would like to offer you a message and a prayer of hope, comfort and consolation in the face of the difficulties you have to endure," said the pope. "I would also like to offer a word of encouragement to all those who work with you in the pastoral care of maritime personnel."

"May the Lord bless each of you, your work and your families," said the Pope, "and may the Virgin Mary, Star of the Sea, always protect you".