DIRECT. Pope Francis in Corsica: “This visit costs the French taxpayer nothing, the 2 million are financed by the diocese thanks to donations”

Hello Christine, this is a question that has been widely commented on and which surprised even some bishops contacted off-site. But it is false to say that the Pope hates France, as has been said by poorly informed commentators. On the other hand, the Pope has always said, since his arrival on the papal throne, that he would meet the “peripheries”. This means what it means: the territories on the fringes of the large metropolises, the land of the “forgotten” according to the expression of Abbot Constant, vicar general of Ajaccio who organized the pope’s visit here. Corsica, this island where we cultivate this very popular, very living form of faith, embodies this a little, just like Marseille, last year – he came there to shine the spotlight on the tragedy of migrants. Overall, the Mediterranean region, a land of conflicts and social tensions, is one of its priorities. Also, generally speaking, he doesn’t really like the pomp of a certain church – that’s why, for example, he didn’t settle in the papal apartments in the Vatican, but in a suite much more modest than the Sainte-Marthe residence, right next door. Finally, if we look at his diary, on December 7, the day of the reopening of Notre-Dame, there was a consistory to appoint cardinals to the Vatican, an important moment. And on December 8, it was the feast of the Immaculate Conception, which no pope – except in times of war – has spent anywhere other than Rome. But he still sent a text to be read on the day of the reopening of Notre-Dame by the Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ullrich. He said in particular that this event was “a sign of immense joy for all believers”.