Pope Francis Visits Corsica, Warns Priests of Divisive Politics of Some Spiritual Groups

Pope Francis, who turns 88 on Tuesday, visited French island Corsica on Sunday, celebrated Mass for the Catholic community there and warned the people against some religious groups who were divisive on political lines, without naming the group.

The Pontif was scheduled to meet French President Emmanuel Macron too, who had invited him for the reopening of Medieval age architectural marvel Notre-Dame de Paris that took place December 7. The Pope, however, had decided not to attend the programme.

Lay Catholic people are active in the church in Corsica too, just like other parts of France and Europe, known as confraternities. They impact the church with their spirituality, but they are involved in local politics. The Pope possibly was warning the Catholic priests as well as the believers of this group, though he did not name any.