Pope Francis to Visit Corsica for the First Time on December 15

The one-day trip includes a focus on Mediterranean religiosity and avoids the spotlight of Notre-Dame's reopening in Paris.

Pope Francis will travel to Ajaccio, Corsica, on December 15 for a historic first papal visit to the island, at the invitation of local authorities and clergy.
The visit coincides with the conclusion of a congress on 'popular religiosity in the Mediterranean,' a theme central to the pope's focus on marginalized regions and communities.
The pope declined an invitation to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris on December 7-8, citing scheduling conflicts and a desire to not overshadow the event's focus on the cathedral itself.
The itinerary includes two speeches, two masses, and a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, with an estimated 100,000 attendees expected in Ajaccio for the event.
The trip, which is expected to cost €2 million, will be funded by the Diocese of Ajaccio with support from donations and local sponsors.