Corsica's Catholic faithful turn out to see Pope Francis on one-day visit

(15 Dec 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Ajaccio, France - 15 December 2024
1. Various of Pope Francis in popemobile surrounded by crowds
2. Pope blessing children
3. Banner reading (Corsican) “Pope Francis in Corsica”
4. Various of Pope in popemobile waving to crowds
5. Catholic confraternity (brotherhood) members
6. SOUNDBITE (French) Patrick Cavilling, member of the Confraternity of Sant Antone Abbate de Lumiu:
“The brotherhood is a group of confreres (brothers), of men who share the same faith, the same experience of religion, who places themselves at the service of the most disadvantaged to help them, to accompany them in various occasions and in various difficult moments of life."
7. Confraternity member walking away
8. SOUNDBITE (French) Corinne Jeudy, Ajaccio resident:
“Yes, it is a great honor for all of Corsica to receive the Pope today. It's the first time we've seen him and maybe the last. And I think that, in Corsica, people are very religious, more so than in other places on the continent. After that, there are places where it is still or it is still very entrenched, such as in Brittany. But, all the religious festivities here in the villages are important. There are people, young people, old people. And today, the most important thing is to see so many people in the streets today, for a pope. That is to say people believe in faith, in love, in peace and in hope."
9. Faithful waiting for Pope Francis
10. SOUNDBITE (French) Renè Colombani, resident of Ile-Rousse::
“In Corsica, we believe a lot. Corsica is a very Catholic region. Besides, you will see it. We came with the boat that's back there. There were 2,000 of us on board. We came from the north of Corsica to attend and see this event, which is really exceptional."
11. Female brotherhood of the Mercy of Notre Dame of Ajaccio in front of Ajaccio cathedral
12. Pope in popemobile
13. Female brotherhood of the Mercy of Notre Dame of Ajaccio holding flowers
14. Various of Pope in popemobile, getting out and being pushed in wheelchair in front of cathedral
15. Various of Pope and female brotherhood outside cathedral
16. Crowded street
STORYLINE:
Thousands of Corsica's Catholic faithful lined the route of Pope Francis' motorcade waving flags and shouting greetings during the first papal visit to the French island Sunday.

The Pope’ one-day visit, two days before his 88th birthday, puts a dual focus on the Mediterranean, highlighting local traditions of popular piety on the one hand and migrant deaths and wars on the other.

The trip to Corsica’s capital Ajaccio, is one of the briefest of his papacy beyond Italy’s borders, just about nine hours on the ground, including a 40-minute visit with French President Emmanuel Macron.

It is the first time a Pope has visited the island which stands out from the rest of secularized France as a particularly devout region.

Corinne Jeudy a resident of Ajaccio said the visit was "a great honour", explaining "it's the first time we've seen him and maybe the last and I think that, in Corsica, people are very religious."

Later Sunday the Pope will visit 17th-century cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to meet with clergy, stopping along the way at the statue of the Madunnuccia, the Virgin Mary in Corsican.

Francis will celebrate Mass at the Place d’Austerlitz park, where it is said Napoleon played as a child.

Around 7,000 faithful are expected. He will meet privately with Macron at the airport before departing for the 50-minute flight back to Rome.

AP Video by Paolo Santalucia and Silvia Stellacci



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