AJACCIO, France – Pope Francis made a historic visit to Corsica on Sunday, the first-ever papal visit to the French Mediterranean island, urging Catholic clergy to guard against spiritual groups that fuel political divisions.
Speaking at a conference on Mediterranean religion in Ajaccio, the pontiff warned against forms of religiosity that “seek self-aggrandisement by fuelling polemics, narrow-mindedness, divisions, and exclusivist attitudes.” He called on priests to remain vigilant and discerning in fostering unity among the faithful.
While Francis did not name specific groups, his message carried weight in Corsica, where lay Catholic associations, known as confraternities, sometimes intersect with local political affairs.
During his nine-hour visit, the pope celebrated an outdoor Mass with local Catholics and briefly met French President Emmanuel Macron at the airport before returning to Rome. Macron had previously invited Francis to attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on December 7, an offer the pope declined, consistent with his focus on highlighting lesser-known regions and issues.
At 87 and soon to turn 88 on Tuesday, Francis continues to prioritize visits to marginalized communities. His Corsica trip marked his third and likely final foreign visit of 2024. Despite minor health setbacks, including a small bruise from a recent fall, he appeared in good spirits, waving to crowds during a brief ride in his popemobile.
Corsica, known for its mountainous terrain and as Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace, remains one of France’s poorest regions, with 20% of its population living below the poverty line. While 81% of Corsica’s 356,000 residents are Catholic, the Vatican reports that the island has only 83 priests and about 30 Catholic nuns.
Pope Francis’ visit underscores his ongoing commitment to addressing challenges in the Mediterranean, a region he has extensively toured during his 11-year papacy, including Malta, Lesbos, and Lampedusa.