Pope Francis celebrated Mass in Austerlitz Square in Ajaccio, Corsica, on the third Sunday of Advent. He reflected on the coming of Jesus as a cause for joy because he brings salvation. The Pope’s visit to Corsica was part of a day-long trip that included the closing of the conference “Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean” and meetings with local clergy and members of the consecrated life.
In his homily, Pope Francis highlighted two spiritual attitudes with which people await the coming of the Lord: one of distrust and the other of joy. He warned against the spiritual evils of disappointment and sadness, which are widespread in today’s consumerist society. However, he emphasized that faith in God gives hope, and that Christian joy is not superficial but rather a rejoicing of the heart based on a solid foundation.
The Pope encouraged the faithful to wait for the Lord with joy, citing the prophet Zephaniah, who describes the Lord as a mighty Savior who can redeem our lives. He emphasized that the coming of the Lord is a celebration full of future for all peoples, and that in the company of Jesus, we discover the true joy of living and of transmitting signs of hope to the world.
Pope Francis also addressed the suffering and pain present in the world, but emphasized that the Word of God always comforts. He reiterated that Christ is the source of our joy and encouraged the faithful to carry this joy with them wherever they go. The Pope also improvised several passages of his homily, renewing his call not to abandon the elderly and thanking the faithful of Corsica for continuing to have children.
At the end of the Mass, the Bishop of Ajaccio, Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, thanked the Pope for his visit and emphasized the need for society to rediscover the joy of life and hope. The Pope then departed for Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, where he had a brief meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron before departing back to Rome.