Pope Francis Holds a Private Meeting with France's President Macron at Conclusion of Visit to Corsica


A private meeting between Pope Francis and the French President concluded the Pope Francis' one-day apostolic visit to Corsica.
"I thank you for this gesture of coming here. It reflects your personality, seeking dialogue. Thank you very much for the time you have dedicated to me," said French President Emmanuel Macron to Pope Francis shortly before he departed from Corsica.

The Pope and the President me in a small room at the Napolèon Bonaparte airport together, shortly before 6 pm. They were accompanied by their respective delegations, they took their places in the room decorated with the flags of Vatican City, France, and Europe, and furnished with two chairs, one of them bearing the papal emblem.
President Macron who had previously met with the pope at the Vatican, in Marseille in 2023 and at the G7 Summit,  expressed kindness toward the Pope.

He immediately gifted him a large book dedicated to Notre Dame Cathedral, recently restored after the devastating 2019 fire and reopened to the public just a week ago.
 Pope Francis presented President Macron with medals of his pontificate and documents from his magisterium.
Specifically, Pope Francis handed over a copy of Evangelii Gaudium and found the page where Saint Thomas More’s recommendation—often repeated by the Pope in his speeches—is cited: to never lose one’s sense of humour. The Pontiff pointed out the passage for Macron to read. Macron responded with a smile and shook the Pope’s hand.
The two shook hands, and France's leader thanked the Pope for his visit, noting that he had witnessed the joy of the Corsican people, who were "very proud" to have welcomed a Pontiff.
Macron thanked the pope "on behalf of Corsica and France," while also acknowledging the suffering caused by a cyclone in the French archipelago of Mayotte, which claimed hundreds of lives and was remembered by Pope Francis during the Angelus.
This was followed by a closed-door meeting, as the final act before the farewell ceremony at the airport, concluding a eventful 1-day visit that added a new chapter to the history of this Mediterranean island.
Source: Vatican News with Screenshot

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