Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match The current head to head record for the teams are Annecy FC 3 win(s) Have kept the most clean sheets in the competition (15) Annecy FC have won the previous 3 matches against AC Ajaccio. Have scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches Mickaël Barreto has created the most big chances for AC Ajaccio (7) Aboubakary Kante has the most shots on target per match for AC Ajaccio (0.9) 25 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT?Annecy FC won 2–0 over AC Ajaccio on Fri 25 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 3 goals in their last 5 matches Annecy FC have won the previous 3 matches against AC Ajaccio Annecy FC is playing home against AC Ajaccio at Parc des Sports on Fri traditional songs and prayers; on the other the tragedy of migration that has turned the Mare Nostrum into an ‘open-air cemetery’: Pope Francis’ apostolic journey on 15 December to Corsica the “island of beauty” with its landscapes framed by forests endangered by man-made environmental crises It is Pope Francis' 47th apostolic journey Compared with the long pilgrimage in September to South-East Asia and Oceania it is a ‘lightning’ trip of less than twelve hours that will also see the Pope meet ‘face to face’ for about forty minutes with French President Emmanuel Macron It is also the first visit by a Pope to the capital city of Ajaccio visited the island as nuncio in Paris in 1952 St John XXIII's journey was recalled by the director of the Vatican Press Office in the usual briefing with the journalists who will follow Francis on his international trip “The Pope is going there to meet the Christian people of the island and for the meeting on popular religiosity,” Bruni said referencing the Conference on Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean a two-day event organised by the bishop of Ajaccio Papa Francescu – the Pope’s name in Corsican as seen in the blue logo for the visit – will address Conference’s more than 400 participants and representatives from the various countries that surround the Mediterranean There will be three main appointments for the Pope who will leave Rome’s Fiumicino Airport at 7:45 am Saturday for the hour-and-a-quarter to Ajaccio’s There he will be welcomed by the French Ministers of the Interior and for Europe and Foreign Affairs and by four young people who will offer him flowers Pope Francis will travel by closed and then open car to the Palais des Congrès et d'Exposition d'Ajaccio for the Conference he will first stop briefly at the Baptistery of Saint John which dates back to the 6th century but was discovered in 2005 during work on a car park The Pope’s first speech during the visit will take place in the auditorium of the Palais “the crises of the Mediterranean are likely to be echoed” Pope Francis will greet some young people who will release coloured balloons The Pope will then travel in a closed car to the late Renaissance cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and finally the recitation of the Angelus will follow In the tour-de-force there will be time for a siesta at the bishop’s palace until 2.45pm when Pope Francis will pass through the crowd as he makes his way to the Place d'Austerlitz – the large park called ‘U Casone’ in memory of an old building where This is the site where the Pope will offer the Holy Mass which is expected to be attended by some 7,000 faithful Pope Francis will offer a word of thanksgiving to the island as his visit draws to a close with the previously mentioned private conversation with Macron No other meetings with the head of state are planned at the moment the return flight will be about 50-minute flight with the Pope landing in Fiumicino around 7:05 p.m the Pope is expected to hold the customary press conference with the approximately 80 journalists from international newspapers in his retinue: “It should be possible with the timing,” Matteo Bruni suggested although he added the press conference may be shorter than usual In response to a question on the “real motivation” for the pontiff’s visit to Ajaccio just two days before his 88th birthday Bruni explained that “the Pope's attention to the theme of popular devotion and religiosity is well known as demonstrated by the visits to so many shrines during his travels: in Latin America and in other parts of the world” Then there is the theme of the Mediterranean The director of the Press Office then reported that the papal entourage will include Cardinal Dominique Mamberti prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura who was born in Marrakech but has French origins and was ordained a priest for the diocese of Ajaccio events which are common on his international trips There is also no “particular indication” of a strengthening of security “beyond ordinary precautions” Thank you for reading our article. You can keep up-to-date by subscribing to our daily newsletter. Just click here the Ligue 2 side were informed by the financial watchdog (DNCG) that they had been handed a provisional relegation unless they could right their financial situation by the end of the season.  The American will reportedly travel to Corsica on Friday to look at the club’s acquisition files with his lawyer and inspect the Stade Michel Moretti’s infrastructure he will also be present for the match against EA Guingamp.  GFFN | Nick Hartland Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world it was playing Leo Messi’s Paris Saint-Germain says he’ll take offers from buyers who are also able to take on the debt of the club Pope Francis' visit to the French Mediterranean island sparked immense emotion who felt "at home," praised the "healthy secularism" experienced on the island where popular religiosity openly manifests in public spaces The famed French-Armenian singer who shot to fame in the early 1990s following the 1993 Eurovision song contest was among the artists who performed for Pope Francis December 15 at Ajaccio Cathedral could not contain his enthusiasm about this historic papal visit the center of the world—it's exceptional,” said the singer echoing the sentiments of a region deeply touched by the event Many others in traditional confraternity capes were also in attendance illustrating the deep-rooted connection between these associations and Corsican Catholicism tens of thousands of Corsicans lined Ajaccio's streets to catch a glimpse of Francis who came to highlight the island's unique blend of popular religiosity and “healthy secularism.” Unusually for a papal trip to France A sign of Corsica's distinctiveness appeared immediately upon the pope’s arrival where Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau welcomed him the Republican Guard lingered too long on the Vatican anthem Francis was already inside the airport by the time the orchestra—clearly not influenced by Corsican nationalism—began playing La Marseillaise the French anthem did resound later as the pope embarked on a nine-hour pastoral visit starting with a crowd-filled procession along the waterfront in the popemobile the Father Almighty...” The first striking moment of the visit occurred near the ancient baptistery of San-Ghjuvà (Saint John) In a symbolic nod to the island's open expression of faith the pope's car stopped on the roadside to allow him to listen to Léo recite the Nicene Creed aloud in the street which will mark 1,700 years since the Nicene Council That milestone might see Francis make another Mediterranean trip Under radiant sunshine, the pope—soon to turn 88 on December 17—proceeded to the Palais des Congrès to close a symposium on “Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean.” This event had been inspired by Francis himself, moved by the account of a Vatican envoy’s spring visit to Corsica. That envoy, Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, a close associate of Ajaccio’s Cardinal François Bustillo opened the symposium after a rendition of Corsican polyphonic songs “It’s a beautiful discovery to see how popular piety enables faith to occupy public spaces without creating tension or social friction,” said the 56-year-old cardinal His popularity was evident when 800 Corsicans traveled to Rome in September 2023 to celebrate his elevation to cardinal the pope observed that “in European countries the question of God seems to be fading.” Yet popular religiosity could save faith from modernity and secularization Francis warned against the pitfalls of popular piety: superstition “is that popular piety becomes exploited by groups seeking to bolster identity in a divisive manner and exclusion.” His comments carried particular weight in light of the far-right Palatinu association which seeks to center Corsican identity on Catholicism “The faith of ordinary people must be valued,” echoed Archbishop Roberto Carboni of Oristano “Theology must not become cold and intellectual.” Defending simple faith practices like blessing statues or joining processions Francis called for a “dynamic and adaptive” secularism that fosters collaboration between civil and ecclesiastical authorities He praised Corsica’s model of harmonious coexistence: "You are a virtuous example in Europe described as a moment of “unity,” brought together leaders of diverse backgrounds mayor of Piana and director of the diocese's pilgrimages called it “a true moment of grace.” The visit also drew contributions from other communities such as the Moroccan Benefactors Association of Corsica which donated €10,000 ($10,511) for the event Corsican priests emphasized the “peaceful secularism” celebrated during the visit secularism is not the denial or rejection of religion,” explained Father Georges Nicoli of Bastia the pope continued his call for a revival of faith in Corsica and across France president of the French Bishops’ Conference thanking him for coming to Corsica and France and highlighting the nation's need for priests take care of yourselves.” He concluded his day with a Mass under the shadow of a Napoleonic monument delivered in Corsican by Marie-Antoinette Maupertuis further showcased Corsica's cultural identity told the crowd of 8,000: “This has been a day where I truly felt at home the bond forged during this historic visit was palpable a 32-year-old mother from Bastia whose infant son Sanmarcu was blessed by Francis the DNCG (French football’s financial watchdog) informed AC Ajaccio that they would be provided a provisional relegation to the Championnat National at the end of the season if they could not right their current financial situation the DNCG have taken control of the wage bill and also provided the Corsican club a transfer ban The French outlet have noted that it is unclear whether Fattaccioli will be willing to do the same at the end of the season The club have been in search of a new owner announcing in an official statement that they were looking for someone “capable of ensuring the sustainability of the institution.” The club noted that they have been left in a critical situation due to the drop in broadcasting revenue stating “This year after being informed by the authorities that we had to present a budget based on the television rights of the previous season it turns out that 2 million have disappeared due to the spectacular drop in rights.”  in contact with a group of buyers signed a sales protocol effective August 31st The buyers committed to ensuring the maintenance of the club and planned construction of a hotel wherein 50% of the revenues would go to the club After having requested a postponement to December the 31st GFFN | Nick Hartland Página inicial OneFootball Busca Configurações Entrar EntrarParticipeCeltic monitoring AC Ajaccio winger ahead of summer window opening | OneFootballThe Celtic Star Celtic are keeping an eye on AC Ajaccio winger Moussa Soumano in preparation for the upcoming summer transfer window according to a report…AC Ajaccio v SC Bastia – Ligue 2 BKT 2024/2025 24 Tom MEYNADIER scb – 22 Moussa SOUMANO aca during the Ligue 2 BKT match between Ajaccio and Bastia at Stade Francois Coty on October 26 As per Brehima Diakite from AfricaFoot has identified the Scottish champions as a possible club for the versatile forward who is capable of playing both centrally and on the wing managed by Thomas Frank and also in the Premier League are currently leading the chase for the winger Reports suggest that a €3 million bid has been made for the player who holds both Malian and Ivorian heritage through his parents has been keeping an eye on the forward with a potential international call-up in mind AC Ajaccio v USL Dunkerque – Ligue 2 BKT 2024/2025 22 Moussa SOUMANO aca – 19 Yacine BAMMOU usld during the Ligue 2 BKT match between Ajaccio and Dunkerque at Stade Francois Coty on March 3 The 19-year-old winger has featured 27 times for his current team in Ligue 2 this season netting four goals and providing two assists across all competitions Ajaccio sit 11th in the French second division Soumano’s current team is based on the island of Corsica located southeast of mainland France in the Mediterranean Help raise funds for Celtic Youth Academy by playing the Celtic Pools Weekly Lottery and you could win up to £25,000 Celtic monitoring AC Ajaccio winger ahead of summer window opening Apr 25 2025, 18:24 Celtic captain wants solution to Greg Taylor’s contract stalemate Apr 25 2025, 18:13 Alistair Johnston on Celtic’s relentless drive for trophies Apr 25 2025, 17:51 Notícias RelacionadasViljami Sinisalo reflects on his Glasgow Derby debut 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣 Rangers and Celtic cancel each other out in cagey Glasgow derby Celtic starting XI for Glasgow derby at Ibrox ☑️ Com provocações, Atlético-MG anuncia a contratação de Dudu Agora é pra valer.Ex-jogador do rival Cruzeiro, Dudu foi oficializado pelo 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Corsica (AP) — 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 Francis appeared relaxed and energized during the one-day visit still displaying a faded bruise from a fall a week ago He frequently deviated from his prepared homily during Mass at the outdoor La Place d’Austerlitz remarking at one point that he had never seen so many children as in Corsica — except READ MORE: How East Timor’s turnout to see Pope Francis compares with other papal Masses ”They will be your joy and your consolation in the future.” at the close of a Mediterranean conference on popular piety described a concept of secularity “that is not static and fixed but evolving and dynamic,” that can adapt to “unforeseen situations” and promote cooperation “between civil and ecclesial authorities.” The pontiff said that expressions of popular piety including processions and communal prayer of the Holy Rosary “can nurture constructive citizenship” on the part of Christians he warned against such manifestations being seen only in terms of folklore is one of the briefest of his papacy beyond Italy’s borders including a 40-minute visit with French President Emmanuel Macron Francis was joined on the dais by the bishop of Ajaccio who organized the conference that brought together some 400 participants from Spain The two-day meeting examined expressions of faith that often occur outside formal liturgies Often specific to the places where they are practiced popular piety in Corsica includes the cult of the Virgin Mary known locally as the “Madunnuccia,” which protected the island from the plague in 1656 when it was still under Genoa Corsica stands out from the rest of secularized France as a particularly devout region or lay associations dedicated to works of charity or piety adult and responsible collaboration between civil authorities officials and religious authorities,’’ Bustillo told The Associated Press ahead of the visit And that is a very positive aspect because in Corsica there is no ideological hostility.” The visit was awash in signs of popular piety The pope was greeted by children in traditional garb and was continually serenaded by bands choruses and singing troupes that are central to Corsican culture from the airport Thousands stood along the roadside to greet the pontiff and more waved from windows Renè Colombani traveled with 2,000 others by ship from northern Corsica to Ajaccio “It is an event that we will not see again in several years It may be the only time that the pope will come to Corsica is located closer to the Italian mainland than France the pope traveled to the 17th-century cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta to meet with clergy stopping along the way at the statue of the Madunnuccia where he lit a devotional candle The pope celebrated Mass beneath a looming statue of Napoleon Bonaparte the French emperor whose armies in 1808 annexed the papal states and imprisoned two of Francis’ predecessors — Popes Pius VI and VII — before being excommunicated and eventually defeated on the battlefield Thousands packed the esplanade where Napoleon is said to have played as a child Francis will meet privately with Macron at the airport before departing for the 50-minute flight back to Rome They are expected to talk about the world’s crises including wars in the Middle East and Ukraine and environment and climate-related issues The pontiff pointedly did not make the trip to Paris earlier this month for the pomp surrounding the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral following the devastating 2019 fire The visit to Corsica seems far more suited to Francis’ priorities than a grand cathedral reopening emphasizing the “church of the peripheries.” each time avoiding Paris and the protocols that a state visit entails on an overnight visit to participate in an annual summit of Mediterranean bishops and went to Strasbourg in 2014 to address the European Parliament and Council of Europe Corsica is home to more than 340,000 people and has been part of France since 1768 But the island has also seen pro-independence violence and has an influential nationalist movement Macron proposed granting it limited autonomy Associated Press writers Colleen Barry in Milan and Sylvie Corbet in Paris contributed to this report © 1996 - 2025 NewsHour Productions LLC PBS is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization Subscribe to Here's the Deal with Lisa Desjardins France — Pope Francis became the first leader of the Catholic Church to set foot in Corsica praising the French island’s heritage of popular piety as a bridge between faith and secular culture As people become increasingly indifferent toward God’s presence and word the Church must avoid hasty and ideological judgments that “would pit Christian culture and secular culture against one another,” he said in a speech Dec closing a conference on popular religiosity in the Mediterranean region it is important to acknowledge a mutual openness between these two horizons,” the pope said noting that expressions of popular piety — devotional practices such as processions or praying the Rosary in common — evoke the Incarnation by expressing the Christian faith in a specific cultural context while engaging people “who are on the threshold of faith.” “Although they may not practice their faith regularly popular piety enables them to experience their roots and affections as well as to encounter ideals and values that they find useful for their own lives and for society,” he said Pope Francis began the 47th international trip of his pontificate by arriving in Ajaccio after a 75-minute flight from Rome; he was scheduled to spend just 10 hours on the island which enshrines the separation of religion and civil society in the first article of its constitution Pope Francis called for an “evolving and dynamic” concept of secularity that is “capable of adapting to different and unforeseen situations and of promoting constant cooperation between civil and ecclesial authorities for the benefit of the whole community.” can nurture “constructive citizenship” in a secular society by spurring Christian groups to cooperate with civil institutions to perform good works Confraternities developed in Corsica with the encouragement of Dominicans and Franciscans ministering on the island in the 16th century they serve as associations of laypeople dedicated to charitable work and religious devotions Despite a decline in the proportion of French citizens who identify as Catholic involvement in confraternities in Corsica is growing A study from the University of Manchester said that some 50 previously defunct confraternities on the island had been resurrected between 1980 and 2000 and that attendance at devotional events organized by confraternities steadily grew in the following years about 81% of Corsica’s almost 344,000 inhabitants are Catholic Pope Francis met with Corsica’s local Catholic community in the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption — where Napoleon Bonaparte was baptized in 1771 you do not always work in an atmosphere that is open to receiving the Gospel message,” the pope told local bishops consecrated persons and seminarians gathered in the cathedral The Christian message depends “not on human abilities but above all on the Lord who always works with the little that we are able to offer Him,” he said encouraging Church workers to carve out intentional time to connect with themselves and God “We ought to be concerned about those people who are always on the go,” the pope said and perhaps through overzealousness never settle down prioress of the Our Lady of Mercy confraternity in Ajaccio — one of just two all-female confraternities on the island — was dressed in blue and white along with 23 of her “confrères” to greet the pope outside of the cathedral She said that the entire island experienced “immense joy” when the pope announced his trip to Corsica Her confraternity spent a week decorating streets in Ajaccio for the pope’s visit The natives of the island have an “ancestral bond” with Catholicism which can serve as an example for the rest of Europe and the world at a time when many people are leaving their faith aside “Corsicans are very strong in their faith,” she said Sixteen-year-old Cyrielle said she felt privileged to see the pope in her hometown Cyrielle said that religious practice on the island is different from the rest of France since here “parents really transmit the faith to the next generation.” Ultimately Catholicism is “something that unites all of Corsica,” she said Pope Francis became the first pontiff to visit Corsica All readers receive 5 stories to read free per month If you are currently receive the St. Louis Review at your home or office, please send your name and address (and subscriber id if you know it) to subscriptions@stlouisreview.com to get your login information If you are not currently a subscriber to the St. Louis Review, please contact subscriptions@stlouisreview.com for information on how to subscribe Discover the latest regional and national news and topics central to the Catholic faith with the St We strive to report on the news from within our archdiocese and throughout the world that is most meaningful and helpful to St We provide information for your Catholic formation to assist you in living the joy of the Gospel in the Archdiocese of St The Early Christian Baptistery of Saint-Jean dates back to the beginning of the 6th century and is located in the Saint-Jean district Pope Francis on Sunday chose to make it his first stop after landing at Ajaccio’s “Napoléon Bonaparte” airport where he was welcomed by a delegation of religious and civil authorities The Saint-Jean Baptistery was discovered in 2005 during excavations by a group from the National Institute for Preventive Archaeological Research prior to the construction of a parking lot and a building Associated with the first cathedral of Ajaccio this Baptistery consists of a large cross-shaped basin and a smaller cylindrical basin perhaps intended for the washing of the catechumens' feet before the rite of Baptism surrounds the baptistery and the basin with a curved eight-meter-diameter display case visitors can admire these remains up close Many people lined the streets or appeared on balconies to welcome the Pope as he began his 47th Apostolic Visit abroad and a group of faithful awaited him in front of the Baptistery where a little boy led the recitation of the Creed Pope Francis will be spending one day in Corsica. During his visit, he will speak at a Conference on Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean meet with the clergy and religious of Corsica He will conclude his visit with a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron before heading back to Rome Investigation opened after clashes in derby between Ajaccio and BastiaGet French Football NewsOctober 30 2024 at 2:11 PM UTC·1 min readThe Ajaccio public prosecutor’s office have told AFP that they have opened an investigation into the Corsican derby after “a failure to comply with an administrative travel ban.”  Away fans have not been allowed at the Corsican derby since 2012 and the presence of some Bastia supporters caused clashes between the rival fans These altercations led to a stampede of supporters trying to escape from the fighting and amid the chaos the referee suspended the game.  Both teams were sent back to their dressing rooms and the game was delayed for an hour and forty minutes This delay allowed for a storm that had been forecasted to hit the stadium and cause the match to be postponed.  The Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) is set to announce the date for when the game will be concluded.  and security personnel will be deployed for Pope Francis' December 15 visit to Ajaccio Corsican Prefect Jérôme Filippini announced The cost of the visit is estimated at “several million euros,” he said Approximately 2,000 reinforcements will provide security during Pope Francis’ visit to Ajaccio, Corsica Only 35,000 people will be able to witness the “historic” event directly One week after the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris Francis will make the first-ever papal visit to Corsica to participate in a congress on popular religiosity in the Mediterranean Corsican Prefect Jérôme Filippini detailed the deployment of “nearly 2,000 police officers and civil security military personnel” to oversee the “visit by a head of state to France.” Fearing a “risk of disappointment,” the prefect estimated that only 35,000 people would be allowed to attend the various stages of the one-day visit These include “15,000 faithful” for the Mass at the Casone open-air theater and Miot Square and “20,000 people” along the pope’s route in Ajaccio “We’re going to welcome him well,” assured Cardinal François Bustillo of Ajaccio, expressing the anticipation of the “powerful message that Corsica will deliver to France, Europe, and the world” — namely, that “we are capable of working together.” “This event will make history in Corsica,” he emphasized, urging consideration of the pope’s health and mobility as he will turn 88 two days after the visit. Acknowledging that “not everyone will be at the front of the altar,” the cardinal said local mayors have been asked to set up giant screens in villages. The prefect also announced that traffic in downtown Ajaccio will be “prohibited” December 15, with shuttles provided for transportation. Only “a few territorial continuity flights” will be maintained at the airport, and “the harbor area will be closed to anchoring and navigation,” he explained, urging residents to adjust their “Christmas shopping” plans during what is typically a busy shopping weekend. In the lead-up to the visit, Air Corsica has made around 6,000 additional seats available on flights from Paris, Nice, and Marseille. Maritime companies Corsica Linea and Corsica Ferries have also scheduled ferries from Marseille and Bastia. The city’s cathedral will be repainted, and its pews replaced in preparation for the visit. “The state and national solidarity will be the main financial contributors,” noted Jérôme Filippini, estimating the overall cost of the visit to be “several million euros.” The current head to head record for the teams are SC Bastia 8 win(s) Julien Maggiotti has created the most big chances for SC Bastia (4) Lamine Cisse has the most shots on target per match for SC Bastia (1.9) Have scored 1 goals in their last 5 matches 11 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT?SC Bastia won 4–0 over AC Ajaccio on Sat 11 Jan 2025 13:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 10 goals in their last 5 matches SC Bastia is playing home against AC Ajaccio at Stade Armand-Césari on Sat Final preparations are underway in Ajaccio which on Sunday will embrace the Successor of Peter the first Pope to visit the French island at the heart of the Mediterranean emphasized that Pope Francis’ presence “is not a privilege but a responsibility.” It will be a brief visit of about twelve hours marked by the beauty and liveliness of popular religiosity Ahead of the Pope's 47th Apostolic Journey abroad who will accompany the Holy Father on this journey spoke to Vatican News about how the local community can translate what he calls “responsibility” into concrete actions for the future This Apostolic Journey takes place during Advent and on the eve of the opening of the Holy Year 2025 it can be seen in light of Saint Paul’s instructions to Titus to “live soberly and justly and godly in this world, looking for the blessed hope and coming of the glory of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.. These things speak and exhort and rebuke with all authority Cardinal Parolin: With his presence in Ajaccio the Pope intends to remind us precisely of this call and responsibility and all those involved at various levels of ecclesial life—will find ways to translate into concrete gestures and actions it seems that practical choices should be inspired by those three fundamental attitudes mentioned by Saint Paul which are characteristic of the life and testimony of Christians in the world: acting with sobriety responsibility must mean personal and communal conversion reorienting our spirit toward the Lord who is coming to bring about the “miracle” of a new life Q: The Pope will close the conference on popular religiosity in the Mediterranean It is a unique opportunity for dialogue and unity What fruits do you expect from this meeting which involves a faith rooted in tradition yet open to evangelization We know how important dialogue is for Pope Francis—“the culture of encounter”—in seeking greater unity and harmony among communities and nations… for which the Lord Jesus offered His life: “so they may be brought to perfection as one and that you loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:23) And how important popular devotion is to him These two guiding principles are the foundation of the conference and it is on these two points that it aims to bear fruit Let me recall—regarding popular devotion—what the Holy Father writes in the chapter on proclaiming the Gospel in the Apostolic Exhortation Evangelii Gaudium (nos He tells us that popular piety is a powerful force for evangelization hiding a deep faith expressed more symbolically than rationally but still with profound theological content Pope Francis invites us to see in a mother praying the rosary for her sick child in spontaneous prayers to the saints or the crucifix in the devotion to the Madonna at a shrine.. small yet significant missionary gestures that testify to a great love and great trust in the Crucified and Risen Christ the Pope is expected to meet with French President Macron at the airport What issues do you think might come up during their conversation considering the perspective of building bridges and fraternity during such a complex and conflictual historical moment I cannot say now which issues will be central to the Holy Father's meeting with the President of the Republic only few days before the celebration of Christmas the peace will certainly be a central issue it is well known how much respect for human life which does not hesitate to appeal to the leaders and officials of states on every occasion even when we know it might not be well received "This is what you are to speak—exhort and rebuke with all authority The meeting will take place at Ajaccio airport I imagine the Holy Father will reaffirm that our sea must not become a "cemetery nostrum" for those seeking a better future and risking their lives This raises the ongoing question of how to welcome those who knock on our doors and often contribute to building the social and economic life of our countries This approach allows us to establish rules demand respect for our laws and social and cultural balances to work with countries of origin so that their citizens can remain and find what they need to live decently  as full citizens Q: Pope Francis will meet with the clergy and celebrate Mass during his visit What messages do you expect the Holy Father will address to priests and laypeople the Holy Father pays particular attention to the history of the people before him and sufferings each one carries in their heart the best attitude on our part is not to "expect" something according to our preferences but to welcome his word and allow ourselves to be helped once again along our journey Pope Francis will not fail to encourage and support the apostolic commitment of the Church and its pastoral actors urging both believers and civil and political institutions to dialogue and work together for the common good of society the two major teams on the island of Corsica have both announced that their fixtures (with Pau FC and FC Martigues respectively) for the upcoming Ligue 2 weekend have been postponed due to strikes blocking travel to and from the French island.  Both the airports and ports of the island are being impacted by the ongoing strikes which began on the 3rd of October. According to Corsica-Matin industrial action began on the 3rd of October due to fears over the management of Corsica’s ports and airports.  Members of The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Ajaccio and Bastia (CGI) are currently striking because their management of the ports and airports is under threat due to European regulations requiring that the contract renewing their control goes through a call for tenders.  This means that there is no guarantee that the CGI can maintain management of the airports and ports and the contract could be provided to a continental French or foreign group like what has happened to other airports and ports in mainland France The CGI reportedly has 1200 members and they fear for their job security if management of this sector is provided to another organisation.  Pope Francis will visit Ajaccio December 15 who declined the invitation to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris accepted an invitation from Cardinal François Bustillo where he will conclude a symposium on religiosity in the Mediterranean “His 2023 trip to Marseille gave us beautiful inspiration about the Mediterranean,” explained Cardinal Bustillo drawing from what we experience in Corsica with confraternities and popular piety…” This represents a deeply rooted Catholicism still visible in the public sphere embodied by the 55-year-old cardinal who regularly attends the island’s religious wearing his distinctive brown habit and rope belt the pope might join a street procession carrying statues of saints and mingling with the crowd “Accepting the invitation of the civil and ecclesiastical Authorities Pope Francis will make an Apostolic Journey to Ajaccio on 15 December 2024,” the director of the Holy See's Press Office To fully understand the significance of this brief trip it’s worth looking back at his earlier visits to France Pope Francis has technically been in France before—in Strasbourg on November 25 2023—but didn't “visit France,” according to his unusual phrasing This distinction seems to reflect his preference for avoiding state-visit formalities staying consistent with his “small countries diplomacy” and minimizing the protocol typically reserved for official visits This aversion to pomp may also explain his refusal to attend the December 8 reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris “Coming to Notre-Dame would be a way to atone for the humiliation inflicted on Pius VII,” quipped a senior Vatican official referencing the historical tensions between the Church and Napoleon The pope made his stance clear during a September 13 press conference Notre-Dame Cathedral remains indelibly associated with Napoleon crowning himself emperor in Pius VII’s presence—a pope he would later imprison Between Te Deum celebrations and presidential funerals the Parisian cathedral is seen as “too political,” according to a Vatican insider who feared its use as a tool for political gain by a politically weakened president a trip to Corsica carries simpler symbolism unburdened by Parisian political drama or the turbulent history of the 19th and 20th centuries Even though Francis will land at Ajaccio’s Napoleon Bonaparte Airport—the French emperor was born there in 1769—imperial references are unlikely to dominate the visit “This trip to Corsica is an extension of the Marseille visit a way to reinforce its significance,” confirmed a close papal associate Francis should have no trouble making his voice heard “We cannot tolerate the Mediterranean becoming a vast cemetery!” he told European Parliament members in Strasbourg a sentiment he echoed in 2023 from Marseille: “We are at a crossroads which stains the Mediterranean with blood.” or emphasize fighting corruption and organized crime “The primary focus will be on popular faith,” speculated one insider noting that this theme aligns with his most recent encyclical In Latin America, Francis believes, popular piety preserved faith in the face of modernity’s excesses and violence the Argentine pope—shaped by the theology of the people—argued that this might also be the case elsewhere describes Pope Francis’ one-day visit to Corsica next December as “a beautiful Christmas present.” Speaking to Vatican News he says the Church in the island receives this special gift “not as a privilege but as a responsibility to honour our memory and to inspire our future.” In the interview he explains the purpose  of this  Apostolic journey and speaks  about the Church in Corsica and the Catholic devotion of its people What is the purpose of the Pope's visit to Corsica Cardinal Bustillo We have organized a congress on popular religious traditions in the Mediterranean It’s a moment where we want to share among ourselves what we are and these popular religious traditions that exist in our countries I also thought it was important to bring in a theological dimension Instead of viewing some popular traditions as mere folklore it’s about seeing them as an opportunity to evangelize through the popular traditions passed down to us by our ancestors How important is it that the Holy Father personally comes to celebrate these popular traditions Cardinal Bustillo It’s a way to encourage the mission through these methods But we also have traditions that are very simple and don’t require special marketing strategies express our devotion to the Madonna or a saint involving reflection and a suitable response here’s what we already have." We start from here and perhaps go further with these traditions beyond just the popular traditions that you just mentioned which will also be the focus of this congress How would you describe  the Corsican Church Cardinal Bustillo Our Church is a Church closely tied to Catholic traditions Since it’s an island and in smaller communities they have preserved traditions linked to a saint my Church is one that has kept the traditional What I think is important is not to remain only on a level of outward or external tradition but to see how these traditions inspire us to live fully and with passion "Go out into the streets." Jesus says "Go two by two." He invites us to risk meeting others possibly people from all walks of life—right-wing or the bishop to celebrate and honor this movement Corsican Catholics are French Catholics but do they experience their Catholic faith differently from those on the mainland Cardinal Bustillo There is more serenity even with the civil authorities—members of parliament mayors—do not face much difficulty in the relationship between the Church and civil authorities each one has their responsibilities in the city but we live it in a serene and responsible manner each in their place but always wanting the good of all and the welfare of our people We know how much Pope Francis is attached to the issues of Mediterranean countries Corsica has almost always been represented at Mediterranean meetings What is the island’s role in the "laboratory of peace" that is Mare Nostrum Cardinal Bustillo We are in a truly strategic position so it’s important for us to work on our traditions so they can extend beyond our island That’s why it’s good to talk about a "laboratory" and to be able to transmit  a peaceful and serene life between civil authorities and religious authorities connected to the people to other places We see that there are many wars even here in the Mediterranean we want civil and ecclesiastical authorities to be able to dialogue And the community needs civil authorities committed to their welfare and spiritual authorities who think of the soul Do you recall a visit by a successor of Peter to Corsica is Pope Francis' visit on December 15 his Christmas gift to you Cardinal Bustillo It’s a beautiful Christmas gift and the important thing is that we receive this gift but as a responsibility to honour our memory and to inspire our future Pope Francis, pictured March 10, 2017. © Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.But that could be about to change, according to local media. On Oct. 30, the daily newspaper Corse-Matin reported that Pope Francis could make a weekend trip to the island in December Share The Dec. 14-15 visit, it said, would coincide with a conference on Mediterranean popular piety organized by the Diocese of Ajaccio, which covers the whole island, with its population of 355,000 people, roughly 90% of whom are Catholic.  The mooted visit would be just before Francis’ 88th birthday on Dec. 17, the launch of the 2025 Jubilee Year, and the Vatican’s Christmas celebrations. So why would the pope consider this addition to his frantic schedule? Map showing the location of Corsica (in green) in Europe. Urhixidur via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0).Wait, where’s Corsica?Corsica — nicknamed “the isle of beauty” due to its scenic landscape — is located immediately north of the Italian island of Sardinia the homeland of Pillar reader Cardinal Angelo Becciu It’s the Mediterranean’s fourth-largest island after Sicily Screenshot from @eglisecatholiquedecorse5940 YouTube channel.Why Corsica?Corsica has several elements likely to attract Pope Francis First, the island arguably fits what Francis described in 2023 as his policy of “visiting small European countries” — if you set aside that it’s part of France While it’s geographically close to Europe’s center Corsica may qualify as what the pope calls an “existential periphery.” Around 20% of the population lives below the poverty line Leave a comment Second, the island has a Catholic leader who seems very much on Pope Francis’ wavelength: Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo In September 2023, Bustillo published the book “The heart is not divided” with the Secretariat of State’s Substitute (Sostituto) Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra That same month, Le Figaro’s Jean-Marie Guénois identified Bustillo as a “rising star of the Church,” describing the Franco-Spaniard as “charismatic and highly organized,” and “a pastor at heart.” The third factor that might draw Francis to Corsica is the Mediterranean. Since his election in 2013, he has traveled all over the region, from the island of Lampedusa to Lesvos he’s invested a significant papal capital in an initiative known as the Mediterranean Meetings which brings together bishops from dioceses surrounding the Mediterranean Sea Francis attended a Mediterranean Meetings event in Marseilles, France, in September 2023. His host was Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline the local archbishop and a trusted papal confidant so a papal visit to Corsica might also be a nod of gratitude to Aveline As the historian Blandine Chélini-Pont put it in the magazine Le Pèlerin: ‘‘The Mediterranean is a rallying utopia for the pope His big idea is to rebuild a peaceful Mediterranean civilization he relies on a network of theologians and personalities who defend the same idea How likely is a papal visit to Corsica in December? The French Catholic daily La Croix said Oct. 30 it had confirmed the trip is under consideration. But it stressed that neither the Vatican nor the French government had made any comment. Corsica is just 180 miles from Rome as the crow flies, but no reigning pope has set foot on the rugged Mediterranean island best known as Napoleon\u2019s birthplace. Pope Francis, pictured March 10, 2017. \u00A9 Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk.But that could be about to change, according to local media. On Oct. 30, the daily newspaper Corse-Matin reported that Pope Francis could make a weekend trip to the island in December.  Share The Dec. 14-15 visit, it said, would coincide with a conference on Mediterranean popular piety organized by the Diocese of Ajaccio, which covers the whole island, with its population of 355,000 people, roughly 90% of whom are Catholic.  The mooted visit would be just before Francis\u2019 88th birthday on Dec. 17, the launch of the 2025 Jubilee Year, and the Vatican\u2019s Christmas celebrations. So why would the pope consider this addition to his frantic schedule? Map showing the location of Corsica (in green) in Europe. Urhixidur via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0).Wait, where\u2019s Corsica?Corsica \u2014 nicknamed \u201Cthe isle of beauty\u201D due to its scenic landscape \u2014 is located immediately north of the Italian island of Sardinia It\u2019s the Mediterranean\u2019s fourth-largest island after Sicily Cardinal Fran\u00E7ois-Xavier Bustillo Screenshot from @eglisecatholiquedecorse5940 YouTube channel.Why Corsica?Corsica has several elements likely to attract Pope Francis.  First, the island arguably fits what Francis described in 2023 as his policy of \u201Cvisiting small European countries\u201D \u2014 if you set aside that it\u2019s part of France While it\u2019s geographically close to Europe\u2019s center Corsica may qualify as what the pope calls an \u201Cexistential periphery.\u201D Around 20% of the population lives below the poverty line making it one of France\u2019s poorest regions Leave a comment Second, the island has a Catholic leader who seems very much on Pope Francis\u2019 wavelength: Cardinal Fran\u00E7ois-Xavier Bustillo.  In September 2023, Bustillo published the book \u201CThe heart is not divided\u201D with the Secretariat of State\u2019s Substitute (Sostituto) Archbishop Edgar Pe\u00F1a Parra That same month, Le Figaro\u2019s Jean-Marie Gu\u00E9nois identified Bustillo as a \u201Crising star of the Church,\u201D describing the Franco-Spaniard as \u201Ccharismatic and highly organized,\u201D and \u201Ca pastor at heart.\u201D The third factor that might draw Francis to Corsica is the Mediterranean. Since his election in 2013, he has traveled all over the region, from the island of Lampedusa to Lesvos.  he\u2019s invested a significant papal capital in an initiative known as the Mediterranean Meetings Francis attended a Mediterranean Meetings event in Marseilles, France, in September 2023. His host was Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline As the historian Blandine Ch\u00E9lini-Pont put it in the magazine Le P\u00E8lerin: \u2018\u2018The Mediterranean is a rallying utopia for the pope How likely is a papal visit to Corsica in December? The French Catholic daily La Croix said Oct 30 it had confirmed the trip is under consideration But it stressed that neither the Vatican nor the French government had made any comment Apostolic Journey of His Holiness Pope Francis to Ajaccio Congress “Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean” (15 December 2024) Pope Francis will visit Ajaccio on 15 December 2024 to celebrate the closing of the Congress “Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean” He is the first Pope to visit the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean The visit announced in recent days by the bishop of the capital Ajaccio was confirmed today by the director of the Vatican Press Office What should the boyfriend or girlfriend I should find be like Tweets by Pontifex Predicted lineups are available for the match a few days in advance while the actual lineup will be available about an hour ahead of the match. The current head to head record for the teams are Bordeaux 4 win(s), AC Ajaccio 2 win(s), and 4 draw(s). Have scored 12 goals in their last 5 matches Have scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches Matmut AtlantiqueNewsWho will win?X‌‌‌About the matchBordeaux is playing home against AC Ajaccio at Matmut Atlantique on Sat The current head to head record for the teams are Bordeaux 4 win(s) Home - Pope - Pope Francis to travel to Catholic "oasis" in France for final trip of 2024 Pope Francis sets sail on December 15 for Corsica; an island that could be considered an 'oasis' for Catholics in France. They make up 92% of the population. In the Diocese of Ajaccio, the capital, there are more than 430 parishes. These figures are very different from the rest of the country, where secularization is booming. Now, more than half of the French say they have no religion and only 8% go to mass. CARD. FRANÇOIS-XAVIER BUSTILLOBishop of Ajaccio (France)If we look at France, on the continent, the situation is different. In France, there is less practice and perhaps there is more indifference, even ideological hostility. On the island of Corsica, because it is an island, it is a place where the Catholic religion and the Corsican language have given an identity to that people. The Pope made the bishop of Ajaccio a cardinal in 2023; a gesture of inclination towards more pastoral and less political profiles. It was the cardinal who invited Pope Francis to go to Corsica. The reason for the trip is to close a meeting on 'popular religiosity in the Mediterranean', where there are many brotherhoods. CARD. FRANÇOIS-XAVIER BUSTILLOBishop of Ajaccio (France)They are intermediary bodies in society, which are very useful. Between the grassroots and the ecclesiastical or civil authority, these intermediary bodies - the brotherhoods - have a very important weight. So, I live in a context that is quite favorable and that must be evangelized. Pope Francis will make a whirlwind trip of only eleven hours, where he will deliver three speeches. He will also meet Emmanuel Macron at the airport before returning to Rome. The French president had invited the Pope to travel to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame on December 8, but the pontiff decided to decline the request. This will be his third time in France, although it is not considered a state visit. The previous ones were not either. He was in Marseille in 2023 and in Strasbourg in 2014, where he gave speeches at the European Parliament and the Council of Europe. Pope Francis is traveling two days shy of his 88th birthday. Beyond his mobility problems, the Pope does not show any worrying signs. In fact, in 2024, he has made two international trips in which he visited six countries, in addition to three one-day visits within Italy. Corsica will be his last destination of the year, just a few days before the start of what will be one of the great challenges on his agenda and one of the big bets of his pontificate: the Jubilee of 2025. The current head to head record for the teams are Martigues 0 win(s) Ayoub Amraoui has created the most big chances for Martigues (3) Ilyes Zouaoui has the most shots on target per match for Martigues (1.7) Have scored 9 goals in their last 5 matches Mickaël Barreto has created the most big chances for AC Ajaccio (6) 28 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT?Martigues won 2–0 over AC Ajaccio on Fri 28 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches Martigues is playing home against AC Ajaccio at Stade Francis Turcan on Fri By Salvatore Cernuzio (travelling with the Pope) Pope Francis did not hold his usual press conference with journalists on the plane as he usually does on every apostolic journey This had never happened on other international papal journeys but it had also never occurred that a journey would be so short he did not want to miss the chance to greet the 67 journalists accompanying him on his ten hour visit to the Mediterranean island of Corsica he recalled an observation that struck him most during this visit to Ajaccio: the number of children seen during various meetings particularly at Mass in the Place d'Austerlitz being held by or walking alongside their parents “Thank you so much for your work,” the Pope began “I’d like to point out one thing: have you seen the number of children This is a land that has children." The Pope added “Both in East Timor and here,” recalling one of the stops from his long pilgrimage in September through Southeast Asia and Oceania “I was happy to see a people who have children “Thank you so much for your work,” the Pope repeated to the journalists and photographers accompanying him on the papal plane See you on the next trip!” “Where?” asked the journalists from their seats “I don’t know!” the Pope replied with a smile The short flight allowed the Pope to enjoy a small moment of celebration when members of Aigav the association of accredited Vatican journalists from all continents gave the Pope a cake to celebrate the Pope’s upcoming 88th birthday on 17 December not a real one (a “fake cake,” as some joked) was made by a Roman bakery that offered it for free out of great admiration for the Argentine Pope with the white and yellow colors of the Vatican flag bearing the inscription “Happy Birthday Pope Francis,” with a figurine of the Pope sitting and giving a thumbs-up on top The cake was presented to the Pope amidst a chorus of “Happy Birthday...” sung by the French colleagues It was handed over by Mexican journalist Valentina Alazraki long-time correspondent for Televisa Univision “All the journalists wished him a happy birthday,” said Alazraki as she presented the gift with humour Even the Pope smiled and repeatedly said “thank you,” blessing with his hand those whom he has always called his “travel companions.” praised the island’s people for their faith and strong tradition of popular piety calling them “an admirable example in Europe.” thousands of Corsicans filled the streets of Ajaccio the capital of the Mediterranean island located south of France to welcome the first pope ever to visit the island where 90 percent of the population professes their Catholic faith The Pope arrived after a 75-minute early morning flight from Rome where he received a brief official welcome at Ajaccio’s Napoleon Bonaparte airport and the French and Vatican national anthems were played He was greeted by Ajaccio’s beloved bishop He was then driven to the Palais des Congrès to deliver the keynote address at the closing session of an international conference on “Popular Religiosity in the Mediterranean.” Corsica’s faith has long been nurtured by confraternities which have experienced a revival in recent decades remain active in the island’s religious and cultural life identified by distinctive attire and banners serves both the Church and the community through acts like accompanying funerals and celebrating weddings Music is also a vital part of their cultural identity as Francis discovered when he entered the congress hall and was greeted by their singing with great gusto—though at one point the thunderous applause of the crowd drowned out the performance the city’s highly popular charismatic bishop the cardinal shared with the pope that participants “discovered how popular piety enables faith to be placed within the public sphere without creating social tensions,” he said “The fact of physically walking along a certain route (in the neighbourhood or in a village) and carrying with you a statue or image of a saint or the Virgin Mary underlines the visibility of our faith The movement of the embodiment promotes the visual aspect This simple dimension helps us to remember the simplicity of our life,” he told the pope “We respond to our spiritual vocation with intelligence our society needs to rediscover simplicity and freedom to move forward Our social system has become complex and harsh can help us rediscover cohesiveness regarding the essential.” a language most people here understand due to Corsica’s historical ties to Italy and its proximity to Sardinia Between the Mediterranean and the Near East who revealed himself to humanity and began a continuous dialogue with his people,” he said “This dialogue culminated in the singular presence of Jesus who revealed the face of the Father—his and ours—in a definitive way and brought to fulfillment the covenant between God and humanity.” The pope reflected on the enduring impact of the Christian faith over 2,000 years noting that while Christianity once shaped political and cultural life “the question of God seems to be retreating as people become increasingly indifferent to his presence and his word.” He warned against “hasty considerations and ideological judgments” that would “pit Christian culture and secular culture against one another.” In a message that appeared to be address to the whole of Europe Francis said “it is important to acknowledge a mutual openness between these two horizons [meaning the Christian and secular cultures]” because today “believers are increasingly open to and at peace with the possibility of practising their faith without imposing it being a leaven within the world and in their own communities.” On the other hand “Non-believers or those who have distanced themselves from religious practice are not strangers to the search for truth even if they do not belong to any religion which leads them to ponder the mystery of life and to seek out core values for the common good.” he emphasized “the importance of popular piety,” stating that “on the one hand popular piety points back to the Incarnation as the foundation of the Christian faith which always finds expression in a people’s culture and traditions of a living community.” On the other hand he noted that “such piety also attracts and involves persons who are on the threshold of faith Although they may not practice their faith regularly as well as to encounter ideals and values that they find useful for their own lives and for society.” Francis went on to explain that “by expressing faith through simple gestures and a symbolic language rooted in the culture of the people popular piety reveals God’s presence in the living flesh of history strengthens the relationship with the Church and often becomes an occasion for encounter its practices give life to the relationship with the Lord and to the content of the faith enabling faith to become truly incarnate in life and history.” The pope told the assembly about how Blaise Pascal (1623-1662)—a French mathematician and Catholic writer—“in a dialogue with a fictional interlocutor about how to come to faith states that it is not enough to multiply the proofs of God’s existence or to make great intellectual efforts one must look to those who have already made great progress on the path Reiterating what he wrote in Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”) the Argentine pope said: “popular piety enables us to see how the faith becomes embodied in a culture and is constantly passed on,” and as a result “it is an active evangelizing power which we must not underestimate: to do so would be to fail to recognize the work of the Holy Spirit.” the Jesuit pope emphasized the need for pastors to remain vigilant “through careful theological and pastoral discernment” in this area “manifestations of popular piety can be limited to their external or folkloristic aspects without leading to an encounter with Christ or be contaminated by fatalistic or superstitious notions.” Second “popular devotion can be used or exploited by groups that seek self-aggrandizement by fueling polemics “when popular piety is successful in communicating the Christian faith and the cultural values of a given people it bears great fruit that has an effect on society as a whole including relations between civil and political institutions and the Church.” “faith may not be reduced to a private affair restricted to the sanctuary of the individual’s conscience.” Instead all in the name of charity.” He recalled how “the profession of the Christian faith and models of community life inspired by the Gospel and the sacraments have given rise to countless works of solidarity including the establishment of institutions such as hospitals – that have enabled the faithful to assist the needy and to contribute to the advancement of the common good.” the charitable activities of Confraternities the communal prayer of the Holy Rosary and other forms of devotion can nurture ‘constructive citizenship’ on the part of Christians on the common ground of boldly carrying out good works believers can also find themselves cooperating with secular civil and political institutions in the service of each person for an integral human growth and the care of this beautiful island.” Pope Francis concluded his talk by congratulating his Corsican audience highlights the values of faith while also expressing the distinctiveness He emphasized that a constant dialogue between the religious and secular spheres and between the Church and civil and political institutions “You have taken this path for a long time and are an admirable example in Europe The crowd applauded enthusiastically after his speech and sang as he made his way to the cathedral once called “Kallistos” (“most beautiful”) by the Greeks the streets were lined with cheering crowds as Francis traveled from the palace to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in his popemobile he was serenaded by local singers and greeted by women dressed in blue he stopped to greet a 108-year-old Corsican woman and blessed a baby all welcomed Francis with song and applause as he entered the cathedral “Let us never forget that it is about the Lord but about God” (italics in the original text) He urged them to “care for yourself”—meaning their own spiritual lives—and to “care for others.” He urged priests present to “always forgive” when administering the sacrament of Reconciliation The pope then invited the congregation to join him in invoking the help of Our Lady Before taking the 50-minute return flight to Rome the first pope to visit Corsica concluded his time on the island by presiding at Mass for about 15,000 people in Place d’Austerlitz the square dominated by the statue of the city’s most famous son—Napoleon—who the traditional vestment color for Gaudete Sunday the pope encouraged his congregation—including members of the 100 confraternities in their colorful robes—to live their faith “with joyful expectation” during this Advent season “The Lord’s presence in our midst is a cause for celebration; it fills everyone’s future with hope,” he said we discover the authentic joy of living and become signs of the hope that our world so eagerly seeks Francis drew the congregation’s attention to the present day Pope Francis was particularly delighted by the sight of so many children and publicly remarked that the only other place where he had seen more children was in Timor-Leste I have felt at home!” He extended his blessing to “the sick and prisoners,” and prayed that the Gospel of Jesus Christ would help the Corsicans “have hearts open to the world.” He concluded by wishing them “a good journey to Christmas.” Pope Francis met privately with French President Macron who presented him with a book on the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral recently reopened after the 2019 fire.This article has been updated to fix an editing error Gerard O’Connell is America’s Vatican correspondent and author of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Story of the Conclave That Changed History He has been covering the Vatican since 1985 Password reset instructions will be sent to your registered email address As a frequent reader of our website, you know how important America’s voice is in the conversation about the church and the world. We can't do it without you—America Media relies on generous support from our readers. Please visit our membership page to learn how you can invest in our work by subscribing to the magazine or making a donation If you’re already a subscriber or donor, thank you! If you login and register your print subscription number with your account, you’ll have unlimited access to the website. Please contact us at members@americamedia.org with any questions. The current head to head record for the teams are Metz 4 win(s) Metz haven't lost to AC Ajaccio in their last 7 meetings (4W, 3D). Have scored 8 goals in their last 5 matches Mickaël Barreto has created the most big chances for AC Ajaccio (4) Aboubakary Kante has the most shots on target per match for AC Ajaccio (1) 22 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT?AC Ajaccio won 1–0 over Metz on Sat 22 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 13 goals in their last 5 matches Metz haven't lost to AC Ajaccio in their last 7 meetings (4W Metz is playing home against AC Ajaccio at Stade Saint-Symphorien on Sat The current head to head record for the teams are AC Ajaccio 0 win(s) Mickaël Barreto has created the most big chances for AC Ajaccio (5) Red Star haven't lost to AC Ajaccio in their last 7 meetings (5W, 2D). Aliou Badji has the most shots on target per match for Red Star (1.3) 14 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT?AC Ajaccio won 2–1 over Red Star on Fri 14 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Red Star haven't lost to AC Ajaccio in their last 7 meetings (5W AC Ajaccio is playing home against Red Star at Stade Michel-Moretti on Fri The current head to head record for the teams are Clermont Foot 7 win(s) Clermont Foot and AC Ajaccio have not drawn any of their last 5 matches against each other. Yadaly Diaby has the most shots on target per match for Clermont Foot (1.5) Haven't kept a clean sheet in 6 matches 31 Jan 2025 19:00:00 GMT?AC Ajaccio won 1–0 over Clermont Foot on Fri 31 Jan 2025 19:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches Clermont Foot and AC Ajaccio have not drawn any of their last 5 matches against each other Clermont Foot is playing home against AC Ajaccio at Stade Gabriel-Montpied on Fri The current head to head record for the teams are AC Ajaccio 3 win(s) Ben Hamed Toure has the most shots on target per match for AC Ajaccio (0.8) Khalid Boutaib has the most shots on target per match for Pau (1.2) Thérence Koudou has created the most big chances for Pau (6) 18 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT?AC Ajaccio vs Pau on Fri 18 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT ended in a 1–1 tie.InsightsHave scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches AC Ajaccio is playing home against Pau at Stade Michel-Moretti on Fri You don't have permission to access the page you requested What is this page?The website you are visiting is protected.For security reasons this page cannot be displayed between fierce rivals AJ Ajaccio and SC Bastia was suspended in the 42nd minute with the game at 0-0 on Saturday for one reason before later being postponed for an entirely different reason was halted in the 42nd minute after Bastia fans defied the travel ban and made their way into the stands of the Stade Michel-Moretti Away fans haven’t been allowed to travel for this particular derby since October 2012 the referee sent both sets of players back to the dressing rooms This caused a delay of around one hour and 40 minutes The island had been put under an orange alert for rain and flooding and as the evening progressed the storm intensified By the time the issues in the stands had been resolved the Corsican derby between Ajaccio and Bastia was postponed A new date for the fixture is yet to be set GFFN | Luke Entwistle Pope Francis may visit Corsica for a December 14-15 conference organized by the Diocese of Ajaccio He would be the first pope to set foot on the island despite a long history connecting the Vatican and Corsica.  Could the “Island of Beauty” be the pope's next destination Recent reports said Pope Francis is considering a visit to the island's capital city of Ajaccio to conclude a December 14-15 conference on popular piety organized by the diocese He would be the first pope to set foot on Corsican soil a land with millennia-old ties to the Vatican Corsica became part of the Byzantine Empire the island sought refuge with its neighbors in northern Italy This Germanic people adhered to a “heretical” religion: Arianism he aimed to reorganize the church to counter what he saw as a threat from this religion Nine of the 847 letters that survived from his pontificate concern Corsica which he wanted to bring under papal influence He decided to reorganize the 56 Corsican bishoprics prohibiting priests from living with women and encouraging the establishment of monasteries the Carolingians sought support against the Merovingians and turned to the papacy Pepin the Short was crowned King of the Franks in 751 and became the "defender of Christianity." Pope Stephen II asked him to validate a document from the 4th century the “Donation of Constantine.” This document supposedly granted the popes ownership of parts of Italy as the Vatican sought to remove these lands permanently from Lombard influence Pepin recognized papal claims over Corsica in the Treaty of Quercy and pledged to conquer and then grant these territories to Stephen II This commitment would later be renewed and fulfilled by his descendant Although the creation of the papal Corsican Guard some trace its origins to the 15th century was tasked with maintaining order in the Papal States while constant wars plagued Italy this battaglione dei Corsi was at the center of a diplomatic crisis between the Holy See and King Louis XIV of France tensions flared with the French escort of the Duke of Créquy resulting in several casualties and infuriating Louis XIV Pope Alexander VII signed the Treaty of Pisa which provided for the dissolution of the Corsican Guard and declared the entire Corsican nation “forever incapable of serving not only in Rome but also in the Ecclesiastical State.” a handful of Corsican nationalist militants occupied a property in Aléria This event marked the birth of Corsican nationalism and political violence shook the island in the following years the autonomists of the Unione di u Populu Corsu (UPC) sought to raise the “Corsican question” with St John Paul II via the apostolic nuncio in Paris the UPC recalled the historical ties between the island and the Vatican The 19th century saw the appointment of five Corsican cardinals Over a century later, in 2015, Corsican Cardinal Dominique Mamberti was created by Pope Francis Likely the most influential Corsican ecclesiastical figure he is now the most senior Cardinal-Deacon elector and will be responsible for pronouncing the famous phrase “Habemus papam” upon the election of the next pope In July 2022, Pope Francis created 21 cardinals, including Cardinal François Bustillo, who has led the Diocese of Ajaccio since 2021. This was a first for Corsica: Cardinal Bustillo is the only bishop created as a cardinal to continue his episcopal ministry on the island. (ANS – Ajaccio) – The visit to Corsica on 15 December was the 47th Apostolic Journey abroad of Pope Francis, the third in France. Peace and healthy secularity are the two key issues of the day the Pontiff spent in Corsica, the first time a Pope has visited the island. Pope Francis spoke about peace at the Angelus in the Ajaccio Cathedral in the presence of bishops, priests, men and women religious. The Holy Father recalled the many conflicts that bloody the world, from the Middle East to Europe and Asia, and asked them to pray for peace. He also mentioned the victims of the cyclone that hit the French archipelago of Mayotte in the Indian Ocean. There were unscheduled events during the visit, such as the greeting to Jean-Marie, the oldest member of Ajaccio, with his 108th birthday, and the prayer in front of the statue of the Virgin of Mercy, the patron saint of Corsica that the island's Catholics – about 90% - venerate as the "Madunuccia". The last act of the visit to Corsica was a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in an airport lounge named after Napoleon. The president showed affection for the Pope and presented him with a particular gift: a large book dedicated to the Notre-Dame cathedral, restored after the dramatic fire of 2019 and reopened to the public a week ago, on 7 December. Macron then thanked Pope Francis "on behalf of Corsica and France" and wished him the best for the beginning of the Jubilee. By plane, on his return trip to Rome, Pope Francis expressed his joy regarding this visit to Ajaccio, a land where "they have so many children". The short return journey also allowed the Holy Father to experience a small moment of celebration with the gift of a cake from the members of AIGAV, the association of Vaticanists accredited by the media from each continent, who wanted to celebrate the Pope's eighty-eighth birthday on 17 December. ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007. This site also uses third-party cookies to improve user experience and for statistical purposes. By scrolling through this page or by clicking on any of its elements, you consent to the use of cookies. To learn more or to opt out, click "Further Information". The current head to head record for the teams are Grenoble 4 win(s) Grenoble and AC Ajaccio have not drawn any of their last 3 matches against each other. Mamadou Diop is ranked 1 in saves per match in the competition (4.2) 07 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT?Grenoble vs AC Ajaccio on Fri 07 Mar 2025 19:00:00 GMT ended in a 2–2 tie.InsightsHave scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Grenoble and AC Ajaccio have not drawn any of their last 3 matches against each other Grenoble is playing home against AC Ajaccio at Stade des Alpes on Fri The current head to head record for the teams are AC Ajaccio 1 win(s) Have scored 4 goals in their last 5 matches Mamadou Samassa is ranked 3 in saves per match in the competition (3.8) Thibaut Vargas has created the most big chances for Laval (8) 14 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT?AC Ajaccio won 3–0 over Laval on Fri 14 Feb 2025 19:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 5 goals in their last 5 matches AC Ajaccio is playing home against Laval at Stade Michel-Moretti on Fri The current head to head record for the teams are AC Ajaccio 4 win(s) Have scored 2 goals in their last 5 matches Haven't scored in their last 2 matches 17 Jan 2025 19:00:00 GMT?AC Ajaccio won 2–1 over Caen on Fri 17 Jan 2025 19:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 1 goals in their last 5 matches AC Ajaccio is playing home against Caen at Stade Michel-Moretti on Fri AC Ajaccio’s Arsène Kouassi (20) has been handed a seven-game ban for an altercation with a referee in a Ligue 2 match earlier this month The incident in question came during a 1-1 draw against Martigues on 4th October left-back Kouassi contested the referee’s decision to blow for a foul by putting his head into the torso of the referee The LFP’s disciplinary committee ruled on the incident on Wednesday and the verdict is now in meaning that he will now not play again for the Corsican club until the other side of the winter break has made his definitive breakthrough into the first team this season he no faces a period of time watching on from the sidelines GFFN | Luke Entwistle @2025 - All Rights Reserved. Get Football Group Pope Francis to visit French island of Corsica on Dec. 15, local church says Corsican acapella group captivates audience in Jeddah Arsene Kouassi has created the most big chances for AC Ajaccio (4) Have scored 10 goals in their last 5 matches Dunkerque have won the previous 2 matches against AC Ajaccio. 03 Mar 2025 19:45:00 GMT?Dunkerque won 2–1 over AC Ajaccio on Mon 03 Mar 2025 19:45:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 7 goals in their last 5 matches Dunkerque have won the previous 2 matches against AC Ajaccio AC Ajaccio is playing home against Dunkerque at Stade Michel-Moretti on Mon The current head to head record for the teams are AC Ajaccio 2 win(s) Haven't kept a clean sheet in 7 matches Sébastien Corchia has created the most big chances for Amiens (6) 04 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT?AC Ajaccio won 2–1 over Amiens on Fri 04 Apr 2025 18:00:00 GMT.InsightsHave scored 6 goals in their last 5 matches AC Ajaccio is playing home against Amiens at Stade Michel-Moretti on Fri