Pope Francis Sounds the Alarm: A Call to Unity in Corsica Amid Rising Divisions

In a historic one-day visit to Corsica, Pope Francis urged Catholic priests to remain vigilant against spiritual movements that ignite political rifts, delivering a powerful and cautionary message during a conference on religion across the Mediterranean.

Speaking to an audience in Ajaccio, the 88-year-old pontiff decried spiritual practices that promote “self-aggrandisement by fuelling polemics, narrow-mindedness, divisions, and exclusivist attitudes.” He called on Church pastors to exercise discernment, stressing the importance of rejecting any religious tendencies that deepen societal fractures.

“Pastors of the Church must be vigilant, discerning, and attentive to these popular forms of religiosity,” Francis declared. While he refrained from naming specific groups, his words resonated deeply in Corsica, a region with a rich history of lay Catholic confraternities that sometimes intersect with local political currents.

The visit, marking the first-ever papal trip to the French Mediterranean island, highlighted Francis’ ongoing mission to focus on the “peripheries” of the world. Corsica, known for its breathtaking mountains and as Napoleon Bonaparte’s birthplace, is also one of France’s poorest regions, where nearly 20% of the population lives below the poverty line.

With Corsica’s population being predominantly Catholic, the pontiff’s call for unity held particular weight. “The Church must be a place of reconciliation, not division,” Francis said, urging the clergy to guide their communities toward healing rather than conflict.

The visit comes amid tensions in French Catholicism, as lay groups and traditionalist movements grow in influence, some of which have been accused of politicizing faith. By addressing these dynamics, Francis reinforced his vision of a Church rooted in humility and service rather than power and polarization.

During his trip, Francis also showcased his characteristic focus on the marginalized. As his popemobile rolled through the streets of Ajaccio, crowds gathered to greet the frail yet spirited leader, who has had to rely on a wheelchair and elevator due to his health. Despite a minor fall last week that left a small bruise on his chin, Francis was in high spirits as he waved to onlookers, embodying resilience and determination.

Notably, Francis chose Corsica over Paris, declining President Emmanuel Macron’s invitation to the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. Instead, the two briefly met at Ajaccio’s airport before the pope returned to Rome. This decision underlined Francis’ commitment to shining a spotlight on overlooked regions and their unique challenges.

As Pope Francis concludes what is likely his final foreign trip of 2024, his message from Corsica rings loud: the Church must not be complicit in stoking division. Instead, it must become a bastion of unity and hope for all.

Corsica’s rolling hills and humble chapels stood witness to a poignant moment in Francis’ papacy—one of urgency, humility, and an unwavering plea for peace in a divided world.