Apostolic journey of Francis to the French island on the Mediterranean Sea. From this symbolic place the congress on popular piety closed. In Europe “the question about God seems to be weakening”, but it is also necessary to recognize the openness between “Christian culture and secular culture.” In the Cathedral of Santa María de la Asunción, in the meeting with the religious, he recommended: “Do not forget to cry before the Lord.”
Ajaccio () – It is the first time that a pontiff visits the French island of Corsica: and the 47th apostolic trip of Pope Francis. An hour and a quarter flight from Rome to Ajaccio, a place on the Mediterranean Sea that was the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte. This morning it was received by numerous authorities – among them the French Minister of the Interior, Gerald Darmanin – and by hundreds of people, leaning out of the balconies and lining the edges of the streets along which the open car circulated. Francis went to the Palais de Congres for the closing ceremony of the congress on popular piety. “This reveals the presence of God in the living flesh of history, makes the relationship with the Church stronger and often becomes an occasion for encounter, cultural exchange and celebration,” he stated.
The Pope met with around 400 scholars, bishops, academics and representatives from various regions that overlook what he called a “great lake between three continents” and “a unique sea in the world”: the Mediterranean. He was received with a prolonged applause in the auditorium, where the pontiff entered accompanied by local authorities and Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, bishop of Ajaccio Francis immediately devoted his attention to Mare Nostrum. the ideal setting for the birth of myths, stories and legends,” he stated. And the civilizations that surround it developed “legal systems and institutions of considerable complexity, whose basic principles remain valid and current to this day.” “totally particular” religious experience, which culminated in the “singular presence of Jesus, the Son of God.”
More than two thousand years have passed since the incarnation of the Son of God, and “many times and cultures have succeeded one another.” Many scenarios have changed since then, especially when analyzing the influence of the Christian religion on culture and society. “At some moments in history the Christian religion has shaped the lives of people and even their political institutions, while today, especially in European countries, the question about God seems to have weakened and we find ourselves increasingly indifferent to his presence.” and to his Word,” explained Bergoglio. However, we must be careful when defining this analysis, so as not to fall into hasty or ideological judgments, especially when we deepen the relationship between “Christian culture and secular culture.” “It is important to recognize a reciprocal openness between these two horizons,” the Pope stated. In fact, believers “are increasingly opening up with greater serenity to the possibility of living their faith without imposing it,” while lay people “are no strangers to the search for truth, justice and solidarity,” he added.
In this context is situated the “beauty” of popular piety, the name that Saint Paul VI gives to “religiosity” in the apostolic exhortation. Evangelii nuntiandi. “The practice of popular piety attracts and involves even people who are on the threshold of faith,” stated Bergoglio, who then takes up Pope Montini’s words. “In popular piety we can capture the way in which the faith received has been incarnated in a culture and continues to be transmitted.” “When popular piety manages to communicate the Christian faith and cultural values of a people, uniting hearts and amalgamating a community, then an important fruit is born that falls on the entire society, and also on the relationships between political, social and economic institutions. civilians and the Church,” he added.
“Dear brothers and sisters, popular piety, which here in Corsica is deeply rooted – and is not superstition – brings out the values of faith and, at the same time, expresses the face, history and culture of the people” , explained Pope Francis. “In this intertwining, without confusion, the constant dialogue takes shape between the religious world and the secular world, between the Church and civil and political institutions. On this topic, you have been on the path for a long time, it is your own tradition and you are a virtuous example in Europe. Keep going! “And I would like to encourage young people to become even more actively involved in sociocultural and political life, driven by the healthiest ideals and passion for the common good.”
After the closing at the Congress Palace, Bergoglio moved to the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, where he met with bishops, priests, deacons, consecrated men and women, and seminarians. In the intimate atmosphere that was created, far from the usual St. Peter’s Square filled with faithful gathered to pray the Sunday Angelus in the Vatican, Francis reflected on a life dedicated to God and spoke spontaneously, recounting many personal anecdotes. He then made a double invitation to those present: “Take care of yourselves and take care of others.” Regarding the first, he pointed out the importance of “preserving some moments of solitude” and promoting fraternity between men and women religious. “Let us learn to share not only difficulties and challenges, but also joy and friendship among ourselves,” he said, and quoted the Psalm that says: “You have turned my mourning into dancing” (Ps 30:12), explaining that “ “It is very ugly to find a priest with a bitter heart.”
Regarding the second invitation, he added: “Do not be afraid to change, to review old schemes, to renew the languages of faith, learning at the same time that the mission is not a question of human strategies: it is above all a question of faith.” Speaking of the sacrament of reconciliation, he recommended: “Always forgive and forgive everything, without asking too many questions.” Then, Bergoglio made a confidence, in these days that mark 55 years of his priestly consecration: “I have never denied absolution.” And addressing those present again he recommended: “Do not forget to cry before the Lord.”
At the end, before praying the Angelus, Pope Francis once again made a strong call for peace. “From this Mediterranean island we raise to it [la Virgen María, ndr.] our plea for peace: peace for all the lands that overlook this sea, especially for the Holy Land where Mary gave birth to Jesus. Peace for Palestine, for Israel, for Lebanon, for Syria, for the entire Middle East! Peace in tormented Myanmar. And may the Holy Mother of God obtain the long-awaited peace for the Ukrainian people and the Russian people.” Regarding the parties involved in the European conflict, he added: “Let them understand each other.” And then he insisted: “Brothers, sisters, war is always a defeat. And war in religious communities, war in parishes, is always a defeat. May the Lord grant us all peace.”
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