Thousands of people are attending Pope Francis' visit to Corsica this Sunday. The pontiff spoke twice before holding a giant mass in Ajaccio around 3:30 p.m.
The Pope arrived from Rome at 8:50 a.m. at Ajaccio airport, under blue skies. Yellow and white banners (the papal colors) in the streets, the facade of the Notre-Dame de l'Assomption cathedral repainted, massive parking bans, 2,200 reinforcements deployed for security: the city had prepared urgently, after the late confirmation, at the end of November, of this visit.
The Holy Father in a wheelchair, with still a bruise on his face, the result of a fall when he got out of bed a few days ago, was welcomed by the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau and a small group of Corsican children , to the sound of Corsican music.
Five artists, including Patrick Fiori and Alizée, welcomed the Sovereign Pontiff with the song Terra Nostra in front of Ajaccio Cathedral.
? Emotional moment. Five artists, including Patrick Fiori and Alizée, welcomed the Pope by singing Terra Corsa in front of Ajaccio Cathedral. pic.twitter.com/wnf9kuI3rq
— franceinfo (@franceinfo) https://twitter.com/franceinfo/status/1868246743571116314?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The singer Alizée was very touched to sing in front of the Pope in the Ajaccio cathedral where she was baptized, catechized, and received her first communion. pic.twitter.com/MWcrFWLmUx
— Amaury Coutansais-Pervinquière (@amaurycoutansai) https://twitter.com/amaurycoutansai/status/1868228213530636477?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
In the streets of the main city of this island of 350,000 inhabitants, 80% of whom are Catholic, according to the Vatican, some 12,000 faithful according to the prefecture greeted the sovereign pontiff, who blessed several babies and children and a lady of 108 years old during his stroll in a popemobile on the seafront.
Corsica: Pope Francis stops in the streets of Ajaccio to bless children pic.twitter.com/VbZyzSPTy2
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) https://twitter.com/BFMTV/status/1868223475451613454?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
Corsica: a 108-year-old woman is blessed by Pope Francis pic.twitter.com/2RaEgNjsIM
— BFMTV (@BFMTV) https://twitter.com/BFMTV/status/1868221318874779749?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
The pope gave a speech at the cathedral from 11:20 a.m. then he will participate in a mass at 3:30 p.m., which is expected to bring together 9,000 people at the Casone green theater. He will leave shortly after 6 p.m., according to the Holy See, after an interview at the airport with Emmanuel Macron.
Several pharmacies open in case of illness
The Regional Health Agency has warned that pharmacy guards are being reinforced: 7 pharmacies will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (4 in Ajaccio city center, 2 on the south bank, 1 in the Gravona valley). Faced with the influx of crowds in Ajaccio for the papal mass, discomfort could arise.
Is it lively at Casone where Holy Mass will be ordained by Pope Francis at 3:30 p.m.? pic.twitter.com/ARoUwgrCPz
— France Bleu RCFM (@FranceBleuRCFM) https://twitter.com/FranceBleuRCFM/status/1868253293878919484?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw
At the end of this Angelus prayer in the cathedral, the Pope returned to the bishopric for lunch. The pope is expected to eat lamb from a farm in Upper Corsica accompanied by Corsican-style beans. He can also taste specialties: cheeses, clementines, wines and cold meats.
He will leave the bishopric at 2:45 p.m. to celebrate mass on the Place du Casone.
