DIRECT. Visit of Pope Francis to Corsica: before leaving Ajaccio, the Pope will meet Emmanuel Macron at the airport

Before leaving the island of beauty, the Pope will meet Emmanuel Macron

The President of the Republic will offer two books to the sovereign pontiff, BFMTV learned from the Élysée. Among them, a book on the reconstruction of Notre-Dame de Paris. It should be remembered that the Pope refused to go there on December 7.

“So many people [vont] shopping with this anxiety of consumerism”

The Pope denounces the excesses of consumerism, for him, the Christian must not live in this anguish.

“Have children. This will be your joy, your consolation in the future”

“May our communities grow in their capacity to accompany everyone, especially young people on the path to baptism and the sacraments,” the pope said.

The Pope addresses the crowd, in French

In particular, he recited the prayer “I confess to God” in French.

Around 10,000 people attend mass

According to France 3 Corsica, 10,000 people came to attend the Pope’s mass at Casone, in Ajaccio.

A mass at 3:30 p.m. at the Casone green theater

The Pope will arrive soon. It is preceded by A Madonuccia at Casone, one of the symbols of Ajaccio. The religious brotherhoods also arrive, as do the choristers. A mass will be celebrated at 3:30 p.m.

Pope Francis will visit the bishopric of Ajaccio

The Pope joins the bishopric in an unmarked car for a private moment, indicates Morning run. He’s going to have lunch and rest. He is scheduled to celebrate a mass at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon.

Pope Francis expresses his support for the victims of the Mayotte cyclone

Pope Francis, visiting Corsica this Sunday, expressed his support for the victims of the cyclone which devastated the Mayotte archipelago. “Let us pray for the victims of the cyclone which in recent hours struck the Mayotte archipelago. I support in spirit those who have been affected by this tragedy,” said the Pope at the end of the Angelus prayer. in Ajaccio Cathedral.

Patrick Fiori and Alizée sing “Terra Corsa” for the Pope

Several singers sang “Terra Corsa” in honor of the Pope including Patrick Fiori, Alizée and Francine Massiani.

The Pope arrives at Ajaccio Cathedral

At Ajaccio Cathedral, Pope Francis called for “peace for all the lands bordering” the Mediterranean.

The Pope pays his respects in front of the statue of Our Lady of Mercy

Our Lady of Mercy is the patron saint of Ajaccio.

“The question of God seems to fade”

Pope Francis recognizes that faith and practice are in decline in Europe while Corsica has 80% Catholics for 350,000 inhabitants, according to the Vatican. “Today, especially in European countries, the question of God seems to be fading,” he admitted, warning however against “hasty” analyzes of this decline and the “ideological judgments which sometimes oppose, even today, Christian culture and secular culture.

The Pope pleads for a secularism that is not “static and fixed”

Pope Francis pleaded for a secularism that is not “static and fixed but evolving and dynamic”. A secularism “capable of adapting to different or unforeseen situations, and of promoting constant cooperation between civil and ecclesiastical authorities for the good of the whole community, each remaining within the limits of its competences and its space “, he said at the Palais des Congrès in Ajaccio, in the presence of religious people and theologians.

Why does the Pope have a bruise on his face?

The Holy Father is in a wheelchair, and has a bruise on his face. This is the consequence of a fall when getting out of bed a few days ago,

The Pope arrives at the Palais des Congrès in Ajaccio

Pope Francis comes to close the conference on “popular religiosity in the Mediterranean” at the Palais des Congrès in Ajaccio. On his arrival, the sovereign pontiff was greeted and applauded by all the participants.

First walkabout in the streets of Ajaccio for Pope Francis

From Ajaccio airport, the Pope boarded the popemobile to greet the faithful gathered along the barriers in the streets of Ajaccio. He blessed several children and a 108-year-old woman.

Pope Francis welcomed by Bruno Retailleau

Bruno Retailleau is Minister of the Interior but also of Religion: he welcomed the sovereign pontiff when he got off the plane.

What is the program for the Pope’s day in Ajaccio?

9:00 a.m.: arrival of Pope Francis by plane at Ajaccio airport

10:15 a.m.: closing speech of the conference “Popular religiosity in the Mediterranean” at the Palais des Congrès in Ajaccio

11:20 a.m.: Angelus prayer in Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption Cathedral

3:30 p.m.: mass on Place du Casone, preceded by a stroll on Place Miot

5:30 p.m.: meeting with Emmanuel Macron at Ajaccio airport

6:15 p.m.: departure of Pope Francis from Ajaccio airport

Pope Francis arrived in Corsica

Pope Francis has just arrived in Corsica for a historic visit of a few hours. His plane landed at 8:50 a.m. at Ajaccio airport. The pope must notably greet the large crowd of faithful in a popemobile and celebrate a mass. He will leave around 6 p.m., after an interview with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Why didn’t the Pope come to the inauguration of Notre-Dame-de-Paris?

While leaders from around the world flocked to Paris on Saturday December 7 for the reopening of Notre Dame de Paris, the Pope preferred to go to Corsica. Elements of analysis in our article below.

2,200 police officers and gendarmes mobilized in Corsica

To ensure the security of Pope Francis’ trip to Corsica, around 2,200 police officers and gendarmes were sent to the Isle of Beauty.

Cardinal Bustillo is at Ajaccio airport to welcome Pope Francis

As shown in the photos from our colleagues at France Bleu RCFM, Cardinal Bustillo arrived at Ajaccio airport to welcome Pope Francis on French soil. The arrival of the sovereign pontiff is announced for 9 a.m.

Tens of thousands of people expected in Ajaccio

Ajaccio is preparing to welcome tens of thousands of people. The port city was adorned with yellow and white, the papal colors. Massive parking bans have emptied the streets of the city center of cars, where 2,000 reinforcements will be deployed to ensure security.

Will Emmanuel Macron meet François?

Francis and Emmanuel Macron will have the opportunity to meet briefly this Sunday in Ajaccio, just before the Pope’s departure for Rome.

3rd visit to France for Pope Francis

The head of the Catholic Church has already visited French territory twice since the start of his pontificate in 2013, to Strasbourg in 2014 and to Marseille in September 2023, but has never made a state visit there. .

What is the Pope doing in Corsica?

The Pope is making a whirlwind visit to Corsica on the occasion of a congress on popular piety in the Mediterranean. He will deliver two speeches and preside over a mass at 3:30 p.m. at the Casone green theater. The sovereign pontiff must also enjoy a walkabout in a popemobile in the streets of Ajaccio.

Pope Francis’ plane took off from Rome

The sovereign pontiff is due to arrive around 9 a.m. at Ajaccio airport in Corsica.

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Follow the Pope’s visit to Ajaccio in Corsica, this Sunday, December 15, 2024.