“The Pope should come” in Corsica on December 15, but “there are some administrative and diplomatic adjustments” before the official confirmation of this visit, announced Thursday November 21 during a press conference Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, Bishop of Ajaccio.
As for the Vatican, no official visit has yet been announced.
“I can tell you that the project is there, the pope should come”insisted Monsignor Bustillo, during a press conference in the courtyard of the bishopric. There is no “no obstacle to the coming of the Pope, but we must respect the will of the Vatican, the will of the Presidency of the Republic for it to happen. It's a matter of hours.”he continued.
The need for agreement from the president
Asked about the nature of these “diplomatic adjustments”the cardinal replied that it was necessary “an agreement between the Élysée and the Vatican. The Pope cannot come to a country if there is no agreement, if there is no agreement with the President of the Republic”.
He nevertheless presented the official poster for this visit, turquoise blue and indigo blue, poster titled in Corsican language “Pope Francis in Corsica”with the mention of the date of December 15, 2024. This visit would take place on the occasion of a conference on religiosity in the Mediterranean scheduled for Saturday December 14 and Sunday December 15 in Ajaccio.
He also presented the official website, www.lepapeencorse.corsica, where all details will be communicated and where “all Corsicans will have the opportunity to contribute”.
“The Pope is not coming for me. He is not coming for the bishop. He's not coming for the cardinal. He comes for Corsica and for the Corsicans”he insisted.
For now, “I can tell you that we need volunteers, because time is passing quickly. It’s in three weeks”added the cardinal, assuring “count on the generosity of Corsica” : “the event is historic, we need extraordinary means”he indicated.
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