[EN DIRECT] Follow Pope Francis’ visit to Corsica

The creation of the liturgical furniture was entrusted to the SOS Calvaires association. Cross, altar, ambo, armchairs… several craftsmen, volunteers, mobilized to offer a perfect work in record time. Check out this story on Aleteia.

“Rejoice, shout for joy!” The mass at Casone begins with great fervor, in front of more than 10,000 people. The mass is hosted by a choir of 300 people, including the Chjami Aghjalesi group. The other choristers, who come from all over the island, come from parishes or conservatories. They will perform songs in Corsican, but also songs in French and Latin.

François crosses Place Miot where around 10,000 people are waiting to follow the mass thanks to the giant screens arranged for this purpose.

In the guest book of the city of Ajaccio, François left a little note written in Italian. “Tied to the roots and open to the world, this is the wish that I leave to the citizens of Ajaccio by thanking them with all my heart for the warm welcome. I pray for you, please do it for me” .

Under a radiant sun, the Corsicans questioned by I.MEDIA testify, with great emotion, of their attachment to their faith, their hope and their affection for the Pope.

“It’s historic for us, it’s a major event, it’s an immense joy to be here,” declares Étiennette, prioress of the brotherhood of Notre-Dame du Rosaire de Calvi, who came with all the members of her organization, inducted on October 7. She says she is struck by the great fervor that has crossed the city since this morning. “What we all share together is just fabulous,” she adds. “The Corsicans have a lot of faith,” says Étiennette, surrounded by seven other members dressed in Marian blue robes, going to the Place du Casone to parade with the other brotherhoods.

The mass presided over by Francis at 3 p.m. at Casone is about to begin. Nearly 10,000 people are expected to follow it. Before the eyes of the faithful, the Madonnuccia first enters.

Pope Francis has left Ajaccio Cathedral and is now heading to the bishopric where he will have lunch and rest, before resuming his stroll through the city a little later in the day. The Pope is expected at 3 p.m. at Casone for Mass, preparations for which are continuing. Place Miot, where the mass will be broadcast live, we are preparing communion for… 5,000 people!

Pope Francis, during the Angelus, called for “peace” in the world and more particularly for “the entire Middle East” and “for the Ukrainian people and the Russian people.” “Peace for Palestine, for Israel, for Lebanon, for Syria, for the entire Middle East.” Francis also prayed for the many victims of the cyclone in Mayotte.

In the cathedral, Pope Francis spoke to members of the Corsican clergy. The Pope insisted on the issue of transmitting the faith. “In the European context, there is no shortage of problems and challenges regarding the transmission of the faith. But this poverty is a blessing!”, said the Pope. Francis also returned to the importance of the sacrament of reconciliation, inviting priests to “forgive everyone, without exception.” “To priests I say that for the sacrament of reconciliation, do not ask too much (of people). Listen and forgive (…) Don’t torture people in the confessional.

The Pope is received in the cathedral by Mgr de Moulins Beaufort, president of the Conference of Bishops of France. The latter expressed the need of the Church in France for priests, whose number continues to decrease. “Our need, Most Holy Father, in France, is to receive priests. All our dioceses are being transformed to live with fewer priests than previously.”

Christophe Mondoloni, Patrick Fiori, Alizée… These artists sang for the Pope as he arrived at the cathedral.

A true baroque gem from the 16th century, this building is one of the treasures of the Isle of Beauty. Dated from the end of the 16th century and typical of Counter-Reformation architecture, the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, or Our Lady of the Assumption, forms a Latin cross. It was here that Napoleon I was baptized in 1771. Discover its history here.

Francis arrived at the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral. He is welcomed by Gilles Siméoni, the president of the executive council, and Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis, president of the Corsican Assembly.

Every March 18, the people of Ajacci celebrate their patroness, Madonuccia – or Madunuccia -, according to a ritual unchanged since 1656. That year, several regions of present-day Italy were ravaged by the plague, notably the city of Genoa, at a time when no one knew how to contain this “scourge of God”. The inhabitants of Ajaccio are also at the mercy of the disease. They then decided to place themselves under the protection of Our Lady of Mercy, vowing to make her their patron saint if she interceded for them. The city is saved from disease. Discover the history of Madonuccia in this Aleteia article.

Another walkabout for the Pope as he leaves the conference. François heads towards the Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral, a historic building located in the heart of the old town of Ajaccio. Just before, the Pope stopped at Place des Palmiers for a prayer in front of the statue of Madunnuccia which protected Corsica from a plague epidemic in 1656.

As the conference concludes, a group of singers sing a polyphonic Ave maris stella in front of Pope Francis, a particularly moving moment.

After a welcome word from Cardinal Bustillo, Pope Francis delivers his closing speech. “I am happy to meet you here, in Ajaccio, at the end of the conference on popular piety in the Mediterranean,” declares the Pope. “The practice of popular piety attracts people who are on the threshold of faith and rediscover the experience of their own roots. By expressing faith through simple gestures, it reveals the presence of God in the living flesh of history , strengthens the relationship with the Church and becomes an occasion for celebration. Piety which is not festive does not have a good smell, because it is too diluted. It gives substance to the relationship with the Lord,” Francis said.

François arrived at the Palais des Congrès in Ajaccio. It is here that the concluding session of the conference on popular piety is held. Until now rather little known, this conference is organized by Mgr Bustillo, bishop of Ajaccio. Other bishops participated, like Mgr Nicolas Brouwet, bishop of Nîmes, Mgr Roberto Carboni, archbishop of Caristano in Sardinia or Mgr Ferrer, vicar general of Toledo. During this conference, round tables and other times of exchange were organized on questions relating to popular piety in Corsica, but also in Sardinia and Sicily, piety which is expressed in particular through particular processions or the famous brotherhoods. .

The coming of the Pope attracts all generations and all ages, and young people are not left out. Less practicing but sensitive to its sacred traditions, the latter responded to welcome Francis.

Francis stops at the Baptistery of Saint-Jean, a paleo-Christian vestige which was once the episcopal seat of Ajaccio.

Pope Francis strolls along Boulevard Bonaparte in a popemobile on which the Corsicans have gathered. The Pope stands and greets the many people who have come to see him, accompanied by cries of joy. The fervor on site seems particularly great. Some lucky people were also able to stand on their balcony to see the sovereign pontiff pass by.

Under a blue sky and a radiant sun, Pope Francis leaves the airport and heads towards the Cours Bonaparte where many Corsicans have gone to wait for him. Even the oldest of Ajaccio, aged 108, is there!

The group Caramusa performed a magnificent melody entitled “A nanna di u bambinu”. Pope Francis meets the Minister of the Interior Bruno Retailleau.

Pope Francis landed this Sunday, December 15 in Ajaccio. This is the first time that a pope has visited the Isle of Beauty and Francis is eagerly awaited there by the Corsicans. Francis came to conclude a conference on “popular religiosity in the Mediterranean”. However, Corsica, where the brotherhoods are a vibrant expression of faith, is a laboratory of interest to the Pope.