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.

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.

The Dec. 15 papal Mass in a mix of French and Corsican took place as the sun set over Ajaccio, ending by candlelight with purple skies behind the hills bordering the port city.

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.

Pope Francis made a historic visit to Corsica, emphasizing a dynamic form of laicism as a bridge between religion and civic life. The pontiff encouraged expressions of popular piety to foster citizenship and collaboration between ecclesiastical and civil authorities.

Pope Francis is welcomed by children as he arrives at Ajaccio International Airport on the occasion of his one-day visit in the French island of Corsica, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024. (AP Photo ...

Pope Francis stands as he celebrates a mass Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Ajaccio on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica . (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) AJACCIO, Corsica (AP) — Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island ...

Pope Francis gestures, on the day he presides over the Holy Mass at Place d'Austerlitz, during his apostolic journey in Ajaccio, on the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, France, December 15 ...

AJACCIO, Corsica — 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 ...

AJACCIO, Corsica — 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 ...

Pope Francis opens the Holy Year 2025, continues calls for peace, and addresses global challenges, emphasizing love, hope, and dialogue amid crises

Asia, like Africa, is a growth area for the Catholic church. In Georgetown University’s ranking of attendance at mass, Lebanon (69%) and the Philippines (56%) placed third and fourth. Although the number of Asian candidates for the priesthood fell by 9% from 2013 to 2022, this was less than the dizzying 31% drop in Europe.