Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society.

A brief visit by Pope Francis to the French island of Corsica puts a dual focus on the Mediterranean, highlighting local traditions of popular piety on the one hand and migrant deaths and wars on the other.

Pope Francis completed a one-day trip to Corsica Sunday marked by cheering crowds and good humor in the French Mediterranean island, a stronghold of the Catholic faith. Around 9,000 turned out to attend as he celebrated mass,

The Dec. 15 papal Mass in a mix of French and Corsican took place as the sun set over Ajaccio, ending by candlelight with purple skies behind the hills bordering the port city.

Pope Francis on Sunday called for a "healthy secularism" while visiting the French island of Corsica. Christian and secular culture should not be pitted against each other, said Francis, who is the first pope to ever visit the Mediterranean island.

Pope Francis visited Corsica, urging priests to prevent spiritual groups from causing political division. He highlighted the need for vigilance against exclusive religious practices, touching on the island's Catholic confraternities.

Pope Francis on the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes

A brief visit by Pope Francis to the French island of Corsica puts a dual focus on the Mediterranean, highlighting local traditions of popular piety on the one hand and

On the first papal visit ever to the French island of Corsica, Pope Francis on Sunday called for a dynamic form of laicism, promoting the kind of popular piety that distinguishes the Mediterranean island from secular France as a bridge between religious and civic society.