The Holy See confirmed Pope Francis’ one-day apostolic trip to Corsica, France, next month. This will mark the first papal visit to the island most famous as the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni confirmed that the Pope had accepted an invitation from French civil and ecclesiastical authorities to visit Ajaccio, the island’s capital, on 15 December 2024.
This will be Pope Francis’ 47th apostolic journey abroad and his third visit to French territory, following trips to Strasbourg in 2014 and Marseille in 2023.
On both occasions, the pontiff spoke about migration. This visit continues Pope Francis’ commitment to the Mediterranean region, following previous trips to Lampedusa, Lesbos and Malta, where he underlined the Church’s call for solidarity with migrants and coastal communities.
Pope Francis will be welcomed in Ajaccio by Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, who was created a cardinal by Francis last year and heads a diocese where more than 80% of the island’s 340,000 inhabitants identify as Catholic.
The trip from Rome to Ajaccio’s Napoleon Bonaparte Airport will take just over an hour, making it one of the Pope’s shortest international trips, covering approximately 300 kilometres. Although technically a visit to French territory, the Mediterranean island is closer to Italy than to mainland France.
Mediterranean popular religiosity in the morning, followed by a Mass in the afternoon at the historic Place d’Austerlitz, known locally as “U Casone”.
The Pope will pray the Angelus with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated persons, and seminarians in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in Ajaccio.
The voyage’s official logo prominently features Mary, revered as Queen of Corsica, against a Mediterranean blue background and incorporating traditional Christian symbolism, including a cross representing faith in Christ and a descending line suggesting the presence of the Holy Spirit.