Pope Francis in Ajaccio: an encounter between spirituality and dialogue in the heart of the Mediterranean – ZENIT

(ZENIT News / Rome, 15.12.2024).- The island of Corsica experienced a historic day this Sunday, December 15, with the visit of Pope Francis, who presided over the closing of the Congress “Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean” in Ajaccio. This 47th International Apostolic Journey, loaded with symbolic gestures and significant meetings, highlighted the importance of cultural and religious dialogue in the Mediterranean region, a cradle of civilizations marked by diversity.

A beginning between the simple and the solemn

Before his departure, Pope Francis offered a moving gesture by sharing a brief moment of prayer and farewell with a group of homeless people seeking refuge around the Vatican. Accompanied by Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, his almoner, this initial act recalled the pontiff’s commitment to the most vulnerable, setting the tone for a visit focused on communion and human encounter.

The plane that carried the Holy Father took off early in the morning from the Rome-Fiumicino airport bound for Ajaccio, where it landed punctually at the Napoléon Bonaparte airport. There, he was received by the French Minister of the Interior and by young people who offered him flowers in a warm welcome ceremony, accompanied by hymns and local songs.

A Congress to illuminate the Mediterranean

The Pope addressed Palais des Congrès et des Expositions for the closing session of the Congress, which brought together delegates from various cultures and religions since December 14. In his speech, the Holy Father highlighted the vital role of popular religiosity as a bridge between traditions and a means to preserve spirituality in the daily life of Mediterranean communities.

He called for rediscovering the values ​​that have shaped civilizations throughout the Mare Nostrum, promoting a fruitful dialogue between religions, political institutions and knowledge. «Popular religiosity is the voice of the people who, through simple symbols and gestures, seek a link with the divine. It is a light that illuminates even in times of uncertainty,” he said.

Meetings and symbols of unity

The Pope’s visit was also marked by moments of prayer and reflection. In it Baptistère Saint-JeanFrancis sprinkled the faithful with holy water from the popemobile before continuing towards the emblematic statue of the Madunnucciaprotector of Ajaccio. There, accompanied by two children who offered him a candle, the pontiff lit a candle, symbolizing his prayer for unity and peace.

At the Cathedral of Santa María Assunta, Francis led the Angelus prayer surrounded by bishops, priests and faithful, while a local choir offered solemn songs. The ceremony, rich in symbolism, underlined the spiritual bond between the Pope and the Corsican communities.

A massive mass to close the day

The afternoon was marked by the celebration of Holy Mass in the Place d’Austerlitz. With an estimated attendance of 15,000 people, including faithful present and those who followed the liturgy through screens in different parts of the city, the Pope highlighted the importance of Advent as a time of hope and spiritual preparation.

In his homily, the pontiff urged those present to be “bridge builders” in a world facing divisions, highlighting the role of faith as a transformative force that transcends borders. “The light of Christ invites us to break with the shadows of selfishness and open ourselves to brotherhood,” he expressed.

A legacy for the Mediterranean

The visit concluded with a meeting between the Pope and French President Emmanuel Macron, marking a gesture of mutual respect between Church and State. Before his departure, Francis signed the book of honor of the Ajaccio City Council, leaving a message of peace and hope for the Corsican community.

The Pope’s return to Rome closes another chapter in his mission to build bridges between cultures, religions and nations. Ajaccio, with its Mediterranean history and rich spiritual tradition, became for one day the epicenter of a universal message: the importance of building a future based on respect, dialogue and shared faith.

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