We met Jérôme Filippini, prefect of Corsica, to take stock of the preparations for the arrival of the sovereign pontiff on December 15 in Ajaccio.
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When will we know more about the practical arrangements for Pope Francis' visit?
There are many things that are being sorted out, with the different interlocutors, the city, the diocese, the community of communes and the Collectivity of Corsica. Things are being done in an extremely short time frame. The arrival of the sovereign pontiff was prepared in nine months in Marseille, and we only have less than a month… But we are aware that we must give as much information, as soon as possible, to the inhabitants of Ajaccio, but also to all those who plan to go there. We hope to be able to do this early next week.
Pope Francis during his visit to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, September 26, 2024.
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© ERIC LALMAND / MAXPPP
It already seems certain that traffic in Ajaccio on Sunday December 15 will be complicated…
It simply won't be possible. Don't imagine coming to the center of Ajaccio with a private car, because most of it will be dedicated to the Pope's journey, to the organization of the mass but also to the fanzones which will allow the public to see the sovereign pontiff pass by. However, everything will be done to preserve a living Ajaccio, and not make it a dead city. We must allow as many people as possible to meet the Pope, but at the same time not make life impossible for everyone else. And it's a big job.
>> READ ALSO – Pope's visit to Corsica, what transport should I take to get to Ajaccio?
How to provide access to the city center?
We are working on it. There will be a shuttle system, from a certain number of points that we are in the process of defining, where you will have to leave your vehicle. With buses, but also perhaps by sea, from Porticcio, or by train, even if it seems more difficult. We are exploring all options.
In an exceptional situation, exceptional means
You are going to issue a “major event” decree. What is it about?
I asked the Minister of the Interior, who gave me his agreement. This decree will make it possible to mobilize extremely significant resources from the State. Exceptional circumstances require exceptional means.
We could not have faced such an event with the means available to me in Corsica. Reinforcements will come from Marseille and Paris, more than 2,000 people, civil servants and soldiers, who will help us secure the arrival of the sovereign pontiff, which is a visit by a head of state. But which will also make it possible to organize the event in a peaceful way for the population, because it must remain above all a celebration.
>> READ ALSO – “An honor”, “a historic moment”, “news of considerable significance”: the first reactions after the officialization of the pope's visit to Corsica
We imagine that air traffic will be disrupted…
This extraordinary moment will not allow us to do everything as usual, it's true. Apart from the territorial continuity flight, which will be preserved, Ajaccio airport will be essentially closed, and dedicated to the official travel of the sovereign pontiff and ministerial authorities. So, yes, it is better not to plan to arrive on Sunday morning, thinking that you will be able to meet the Pope!
