Pope Francis, Emmanuel Macron meet as Corsica visit ends

Pope Francis made a historic visit to the French island of Corsica on December 15, marking the first papal visit to the island. The visit took place just two days before the Pope's 88th birthday and was characterized by the Pope's relaxed and energized demeanor. During the visit, the Pope met with French President Emmanuel Macron at Ajaccio's Napoléon-Bonaparte airport, discussing "international issues they share." The Pope has expressed a preference for a more flexible and "Corsican-style" secularism, which is seen as distinct from the more rigid French secularism.