Pope Francis Keynotes at Contested Italian Expo

Pope Francis addressed attendees of the 2015 Universal Exposition that opened in Milan, Italy, on May 1, though demonstrations descended into chaos around the city. Hundreds of Black Block protesters threw Molotov cocktails and broke shop windows, while riot police fired tear gas and water cannons.

The Pope said the fair, expected to attract as much as 10 billion euros in investment, should be a means to “globalize solidarity.”

Footage shows Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi at the opening, as well as views of various pavilions. Mired in corruption scandals, the world fair has drawn sharp criticism. Critics also accuse authorities of wasting public money and exploiting voluntary labour to run the six-month show. Some 145 countries are represented. Credit: Palazzo Chigi