a look back in pictures on a historic journey
The popular jubilation lived up to expectations. Thousands of people for mass at the Casone – the great green theater of Ajaccio – but also giant screens installed everywhere on the island, from Bastia to Porto-Vecchio… The Corsicans, this Sunday, December 15, vibrated at the unison and demonstrated, if necessary, the vitality of their faith. A bath of youth also for the Pope, often smiling and visibly invigorated by such fervor, he who has just celebrated his 88th birthday on Tuesday December 17.
For a dynamic secularism
Political messages were muted. Unusually for a trip to the Mediterranean, Francis made no mention of migrants. Nor did he mention the influence of organized crime. However, he warned against attempts to exploit popular piety “by groups who intend to strengthen their identity in a polemical manner, by fueling particularisms, oppositions, exclusionary attitudes”.
Above all, he defended a model of secularism “which is not static and fixed but evolving and dynamic, capable of adapting to different or unforeseen situations”, taking up the expression of “healthy secularism” of his predecessor Benedict XVI. A plea in the form of homage to the uniqueness of the island where, for example, many public schools bear the names of saints, and where certain town halls host Christmas nativity scenes. The Corsican calendar includes public holidays linked to Christian festivals which do not exist on the continent.
Before his return flight to Rome, François spoke for around forty minutes with Emmanuel Macron at Ajaccio airport. The end of a nine-hour pastoral visit that warmed his heart. “I felt at home!” he said at the end of the mass. As a response to this banner displayed on a house in Ajaccio a few hours earlier, which proclaimed, in Corsican: “Pope Francis, welcome home!
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Pope Francis greets Our Lady of Mercy (Madonuccia), patron saint of the city of Ajaccio (Southern Corsica).
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The Pope arrives at Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral to lead the Angelus prayer. He is surrounded by Father Frédéric Constant (right), vicar general, and Cardinal François Bustillo (left), bishop of Ajaccio.
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The Corsicans gave the pope an enthusiastic welcome.
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Members of the exclusively female brotherhood Notre-Dame-de-la-Miséricorde in front of Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption cathedral.
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The oldest of Ajaccio, Jeanne Mari, 108 years old, receives the Pope’s blessing.
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Around 8,000 people attended the mass at the Casone green theater in Ajaccio, overlooked by the statue of Napoleon.
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The crowd proud of its flag, recognizable among thousands.
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Before his departure, the Pope spoke with the President. Their 6th meeting since 2018.
