Pope Francis made history on Sunday by becoming the first pontiff to visit the French island of Corsica. He landed at Napoleon Bonaparte Airport in Ajaccio shortly before 9 a.m. local time. Before departing from the Vatican, the Holy Father took a moment to greet a group of homeless men and women who seek shelter under the colonnade in St. Peter’s Square, accompanied by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski.
Upon arrival, Pope Francis was received by Spanish Cardinal Javier Bustillo, Bishop of Ajaccio, and the Ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs. Four children presented him with flowers, and after the anthems and military honors, the delegations were presented. The Pope then held a private meeting with the ministers. This visit marks the 47th trip of his pontificate and will include the congress “Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean,” which will be attended by bishops from France, Italy, and Spain.
Pope Francis’ packed schedule included a speech at the congress, a meeting with priests and seminarians at the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and a Mass at Place d’Austerlitz, expected to be attended by around 7,000 faithful. The day concluded with a 40-minute private meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, after which the Pope returned to Rome.