A historic papal visit to Corsica: spirituality and meaningful gestures

For the first time, a pope visited the Isle of Beauty. Pope Francis made history on Sunday, December 15, concluding a brief but significant trip to Corsica. The visit featured a grand mass, heartfelt interactions with the crowd, and an important meeting with Emmanuel Macron.

A symbolic arrival marked by corsican music

Arriving in a wheelchair shortly before 9 a.m. at Ajaccio airport, Francis bore the visible mark of a recent fall, with a bruise on his face. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau and a group of Corsican children greeted him with traditional music. On behalf of the government, the minister expressed gratitude for this historic visit.

Heartfelt encounters with the crowd

The pope traveled through Ajaccio in the popemobile under radiant sunshine, cheered by cries of “evviva u papa!” (long live the pope). Along the route, he blessed children, greeted a 108-year-old woman, and even accepted a pizza handed to him by a local vendor. Inside the cathedral, where 300 lucky attendees had secured a spot, emotions ran high. “It’s a unique opportunity, a magical moment,” said Solène Pianacci, a school principal.

A grand mass in the heart of ajaccio

In front of 7,500 attendees at the Casone open-air theater, beneath Napoleon’s towering statue, Pope Francis led a 90-minute mass. The president of the Corsican Assembly, Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, opened the ceremony in the Corsican language, adding a regional touch to the event. Wearing a rose cape, symbolic of the third Sunday of Advent, the pope expressed his gratitude to Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo for the exceptional welcome. Giant screens broadcast the service throughout the city, including at Miot Square overlooking the Mediterranean.

A call for a dynamic approach to secularism

At the closing of a congress on popular Mediterranean religiosity, Pope Francis advocated for a “dynamic and evolving” approach to secularism, urging continuous cooperation between civil and religious authorities for the common good. He also warned against the misuse of popular piety for identity-driven or divisive purposes, a subtle message to Corsican nationalist movements.

A meeting with emmanuel macron and a message for mayotte

Before departing, the pope met with Emmanuel Macron for a 40-minute discussion. The French president called the visit “a great honor for Corsica and France.” From Ajaccio, Pope Francis also extended his solidarity to the people of Mayotte, devastated by a catastrophic cyclone, and acknowledged Macron’s commitment to helping the victims.

A historic moment etched in insular memory

As Pope Francis departed Ajaccio airport at 7:15 p.m., he left behind an island deeply moved by his presence. Through this visit, the pontiff conveyed messages of spirituality, reconciliation, and humanity, leaving an indelible mark on Corsica’s history.