Pope Francis to Make Historic Visit to Corsica on December 15

The one-day visit will include a mass, public appearances, and heightened security with 2,000 personnel deployed in Ajaccio.

Pope Francis will visit Corsica for the first time on December 15, marking a historic moment for the predominantly Catholic island.
The visit coincides with a congress on Mediterranean religiosity and is expected to draw 35,000 attendees across various events in Ajaccio.
Security will be tightened with nearly 2,000 police, gendarmes, and civil security personnel deployed to ensure safety during the pope’s public appearances and mass.
Local authorities are preparing extensively, including repainting Ajaccio's cathedral, restricting city-center traffic, and arranging additional transport options to accommodate visitors.
The event is projected to cost several million euros, with financial contributions from the French state and fundraising efforts by the Corsican diocese.