Under the small statue of the MadunucciaPlace des Palmiers, Gianluca Guazzi Broccolettishort salt and pepper hair and impeccable outfit that doesn't let go Father Frédéric Constant from the look. The vicar general, responsible for organizing the pope's arrival in Ajaccio for the diocese, explains to the Commander of the Vatican Gendarmerie what he envisions. How could Francis stop in front of the town hall to sign the guest book, as planned, and not stop to greet the city's patron saint? The head of security Vatican acquiesces, makes observations, corrects certain details. While showing great listening skills. On the details of the Ajaccian visit to pape that he is preparing with the local authorities, he will say nothing.
“What a beautiful place!”
In front of the citadel and its splendid view of the translucent water of Saint-François, the director of the security services and civil protection of the Roman State, who accompanies the pope around the world, still slips Corse-Matin : “It's my first time in Corsica, but what a beautiful place! Magnificent.” He never stopped interacting with Loïc-Marc Rossiernumber 2 of the Swiss Guardthe world's smallest army responsible for the personal security of the Holy Fatherand together, they combed through the different places where the pope is supposed to stop on December 15.
Those who should give the final green light to the pope's visit to Corsica were guided by the Cardinal BustilloAbbot Constant, the prefect Jerome Filippini and representatives of the national police, as well as municipal elected officials Alex Farina et Charly Voglimacci. The Vatican authorities relied on the plans provided by the Maison Carrée and established during the preparatory steering committees.
Mass at Casone validated
A sign that things are becoming clearer, the delegation spent nearly two hours on the site of the Casone which will host the pontifical mass. The bishopric did not hide its preference for Place Miot, with its superb view of the sea, the city and the mountains. “An image of Corsica to the world which would have been magnificent”argues a source from the diocese. A scenario finally abandoned in favor of the Place d'Austerlitz.
But Place Miot will remain an important place for the organization because the authorities will channel part of the expected human tide there. On site Friday morning, with an agency specializing in events from Paristhere was talk of creating a “fan zone” that could accommodate 10,000 people with the installation of one or two giant screens.
250 journalists from around the world expected in Ajaccio, including 80 from the Vatican
But before Mass, Francis will stop at the Palais des Congrès for the closing of the conference on popular piety, and finally the cathedral to meet representatives of the clergy. According to our information, the principle of a stop and a prayer in front of the San Ghjuvà baptistery, cradle of the city's first Christians, appears in the program that the pope must validate. On the other hand, it will not stop at the CdC as planned because the Grandval course will not be passable.
We now know that Santa Maria Assunta has been hearing about a papal visit since the beginning of July and for the occasion, while the work planned on its facade was not to be carried out quickly, the cathedral will present a new face and new benches for the historic event. The scaffolding must be erected within a week. On the square, the authorities studied the best way to bring the Pope's chair up to the entrance, while the head of the Vatican press, with 80 journalists, studied the favorable places for installing the cameras . Up to the organ balcony. In total, nearly 250 journalists from around the world are expected for the event.
After a morning in the field at a run, the members of the delegation had lunch at Calata before continuing to work on the plans in the afternoon.
Officialization delayed
The smooth running of the visit did not prevent some setbacks. Initially scheduled for Saturday November 16, the officialization of Francis's arrival in Ajaccio will only take place in a week, according to the diocese. According to our information, protocol reasons are delaying the deadline. Of “small adjustments” would have taken place during the visit and although these are only details, “the Vatican authorities will present the final plan to the Pope for validation”explains a well-informed source. Another hastened to add: “This does not call into question the trip at all but we must be patient, the delegation returns to Rome on Saturday morning and will not see the Holy Father before the start of the week.”
