Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society.

The 40-minute private meeting took place in a room at Ajaccio’s Napoleon Bonaparte Airport, where the two leaders addressed several pressing international issues.

One week after the opening ceremonies of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which he chose not to attend, the pope will travel to Corsica for a religious conference. This third trip to the country once again illustrates Francis' paradoxical relationship with France.

Two attempted attacks on Pope Francis, including one by a suicide bomber, were foiled during his landmark trip to Iraq in 2021, the pontiff has revealed in an autobiography.

Pope Francis urged Catholic priests on Sunday to guard against spiritual groups that stoke political divisions, speaking during a one-day visit to Corsica, the first by a pontiff to the French Mediterranean island.

Pope Francis on Wednesday prayed especially for Cyclone Chido victims in the French territory of Mayotte during his weekly general audience.

Pope Francis urged people to “make children” as he made his first papal visit to the French island of Corsica on Sunday. Francis also called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society.

Pope Francis on Sunday called for a "healthy secularism" while visiting the French island of Corsica. Christian and secular culture should not be pitted against each other, said Francis, who is the first pope to ever visit the Mediterranean island.

A brief visit by Pope Francis to the French island of Corsica 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.

Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society.

promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious... AJACCIO, Corsica -- Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever ...

AJACCIO, Corsica — (AP) — Pope Francis on the first papal ... emphasizing the “church of the peripheries.” It was Francis' third trip to France, each time avoiding Paris and the protocols ...