Pope Francis recently completed a nine-hour visit to Corsica, France, where he emphasized the importance of a “healthy secularity” between church and civil authorities. The pontiff’s remarks came as the island of Corsica, with a population of just 340,000, remains one of the most devoutly Catholic areas in France.
During his keynote address at the “Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean” conference, Pope Francis acknowledged that secularism may be widespread throughout France but urged believers to acknowledge a mutual openness between Christian culture and secular society. He noted that popular religious piety can help unite hearts and build communities, promoting human development and social progress.
Francis’s visit was seen as a departure from his usual international travels, which often focus on smaller countries and cities. This time, he chose Corsica to highlight the significance of local faith traditions and encourage ordinary believers to practice their religion with joy.
The pope’s message resonated with the island’s residents, who showed great enthusiasm for his visit. Despite declining Catholicism in mainland France, where only one-quarter of the population identifies as Catholic, Corsica remains a stronghold of traditional faith practices.
Francis’s remarks also echoed his 2013 exhortation “The Joy of the Gospel,” which emphasized the importance of ordinary believers practicing their faith with joy and devotion. The pope’s visit to Corsica was seen as a testament to his commitment to promoting the faith in smaller communities and encouraging a sense of joy and unity among believers.
As Francis prepares for his 88th birthday on December 17, he has indicated plans to travel to Turkey in 2025 to mark the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea.
Source: https://www.ncronline.org/vatican/vatican-news/secular-france-pope-warns-against-reducing-faith-private-affair