Pope Francis arrived in Corsica on Sunday morning. After a short flight from Rome, the papal plane landed at Napoleon Bonaparte Airport in Ajaccio.
This is the Pope's third visit to France, following visits to Strasbourg and Marseille. Francis becomes the first pope in history to visit a Mediterranean island.
In connection with the papal visit, the media has highlighted that Francis visited Corsica a week after the solemn international inauguration of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, which was rebuilt after a fire. The Pope was invited to the ceremony, but did not participate.
Pope Francis visits Corsica. This is my first visit like this
Instead of a large event attended by many world leaders, Francis chose to visit the Mediterranean island and hold a regional conference on popular piety and a meeting with the faithful.
– The Pope is sensitive not only to the spiritual dimension, but also to this ethnic and human dimension, where people take to the streets and express their faith without public indoctrination, but with great simplicity and joy. Bishop Cardinal François Xavier Bustillo said. The Diocese of Ajaccio told Vatican Media.
As the priest explained, the idea to organize a Mediterranean conference on traditional forms of piety arose from the fact that it is characteristic of most churches in the region. He added that the Pope's visit to Corsica proves how important communities of the faithful, rooted in their surrounding areas and traditions, are to Francis.
Pope Francis of Corsica. Visit plan
At the airport in Ajaccio, the Pope was met by ministers from the outgoing government of Michel Barnier, including Interior Minister Bruno Letaillot and European and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrault.
After a short conversation with the clergy, Francis went to see the remains of a 6th-century baptistery, discovered in 2005 during pre-construction excavations. The next purpose of the Pope's visit was to attend the final session of the Conference on Popular Piety in the Mediterranean Region. Francisco will give a speech during this event.
The Pope will then go to a local cathedral, meet with clergy and say the Angelus prayer. At 15:30, Francis will celebrate Mass in Place Austerlitz, where the monument to Napoleon stands. At the end of his visit, the Pope will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at the airport. He would return to Rome approximately 19.
80%Corsica's population is approximately 350,000. People are Catholic. Corsica is a place of folk festivals and various forms of worship and processions. It is also known for its approximately 3,000 religious brotherhoods and commitment to tradition. There are over 430 parishes there.
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