Pope Francis Advocates Dynamic Laicism on First Papal Visit to Corsica

Pope Francis made history with his first visit to Corsica, a French island, on Sunday. He advocated for a dynamic form of laicism, highlighting the unique popular piety of the Mediterranean island. This approach aims to bridge religious and civic society, contrasting with secular France. The pope appeared lively during this brief visit, just two days before his 88th birthday, despite a recent fall.

During Mass at La Place d'Austerlitz, Francis frequently departed from his prepared homily. He noted the abundance of children in Corsica, comparing it to East Timor from his recent Asian tour. "Make children," he urged. "They will be your joy and your consolation in the future." His message resonated with the crowd gathered for the outdoor service.

Dynamic Secularity and Popular Piety

At a Mediterranean conference on popular piety, Francis, known locally as Papa Francescu, described secularity as "evolving and dynamic." He emphasised its ability to adapt to unforeseen situations and foster cooperation between civil and ecclesial authorities. He praised expressions of popular piety like processions and communal prayer for nurturing constructive citizenship among Christians.

The pontiff warned against viewing these manifestations merely as folklore or superstition. The conference in Ajaccio, organised by Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, gathered 400 participants from Spain, Sicily, Sardinia, and southern France. It explored faith expressions outside formal liturgies, such as processions and pilgrimages.

Corsica's Unique Religious Landscape

Corsica stands out in secularised France for its devout population. The island boasts 92 confraternities dedicated to charity or piety, involving over 4,000 members. Cardinal Bustillo highlighted the positive collaboration between civil and religious authorities on the island. "There is no hostility between the two," he told The Associated Press before the visit.

The pope's visit was marked by signs of popular piety. Children in traditional attire greeted him, while bands and choruses serenaded him along his route from the airport to various locations. Thousands lined the streets to welcome him, waving from windows as he passed by.

Historical Significance and Cultural Heritage

René Colombani travelled with 2,000 others from northern Corsica to Ajaccio to see the pope. "It is an event that we will not see again in several years," Colombani said. "It may be the only time that the pope will come to Corsica." The island's history includes being ceded to France by Genoa in 1768.

From the conference venue, Pope Francis visited Santa Maria Assunta Cathedral to meet clergy. Along the way, he stopped at a statue of Madunnuccia to light a devotional candle. This gesture underscored Corsica's deep-rooted religious traditions and its cultural heritage.

Meeting with French President Macron

Before departing Corsica, Francis met privately with French President Emmanuel Macron at the airport. They were expected to discuss global crises like wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as environmental issues. This meeting highlighted the importance of dialogue on pressing international matters.

The pope's visit emphasised his focus on "the church of the peripheries" rather than grand ceremonies like Notre Dame Cathedral's reopening in Paris earlier this month. This trip marked his third visit to France without stopping in Paris, aligning with his priorities of engaging with communities beyond major cities.

Corsica is home to over 340,000 people and has been part of France since 1768. Despite its integration into France, it has experienced pro-independence violence and has an influential nationalist movement. Last year, Macron proposed limited autonomy for the island.