Pope’s meeting with Macron concludes Corsica visit
A private meeting between Pope Francis and the French
President concludes the Holy Father’s one-day apostolic visit to Corsica.
By Salvatore Cernuzio
"I thank you for this gesture of coming here. It
reflects your personality, seeking dialogue. Thank you very much for the time
you have dedicated to me," said French President Emmanuel Macron to Pope
Francis shortly before he departed from Corsica.
A book on Notre-Dame
The Pope and the President entered the small room at
the Napolèon Bonaparte airport together, shortly before 6 pm.
Accompanied by their respective delegations, they took their places in the room
decorated with the flags of Vatican City, France, and Europe, and furnished
with two chairs, one of them bearing the papal emblem.
As in previous audiences, at the Vatican or in Marseille in
2023 and at the G7 Summit, Macron expressed warmth toward the Pope.
He immediately presented him with the gift of a large book
dedicated to Notre Dame Cathedral, recently restored after the devastating 2019
fire and reopened to the public just a week ago.
Keeping one's sense of humour
The Pope reciprocated with medals of his pontificate and
documents from his magisterium.
Specifically, Francis handed over a copy of Evangelii
Gaudium and found the page where Saint Thomas More’s recommendation—often
repeated by the Pope in his speeches—is cited: to never lose one’s sense of
humour. The Pontiff pointed out the passage for Macron to read. Macron
responded with a smile and shook the Pope’s hand.
Gratitude for the visit
Seated next to each other, the two shook hands, and the
French leader thanked the Pope for his visit, noting that he had witnessed the
joy of the Corsican people, who were "very proud" to have welcomed a
Pontiff.
Macron thanked Jorge Mario Bergoglio "on behalf of
Corsica and France," while also acknowledging the suffering caused by a
cyclone in the French archipelago of Mayotte, which claimed hundreds of lives
and was remembered by the Pope during the Angelus.
This was followed by a closed-door discussion, marking the
final act before the farewell ceremony at the airport, concluding a whirlwind
visit that added a new chapter to the history of this Mediterranean island.
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