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In his first-ever visit to Corsica, Pope Francis delivered a clear message about the need for more children, urging families to embrace parenthood amid declining global birth rates. The 87-year-old pontiff, who made the one-day trip to the French Mediterranean island just before his birthday, used the opportunity to highlight the joy and importance of raising children.
“Make children,” he encouraged the crowd during a Mass in Ajaccio's La Place d’Austerlitz. “They will be your joy and your consolation in the future.”
“Make children, they will be your joy and your consolation in the future.” -Pope Francis
Francis, appearing upbeat despite a recent fall that left a visible bruise, was struck by the number of children present at the event. He joked that he hadn’t seen so many young faces since his recent visit to East Timor.
The pope’s call comes as many countries struggle with falling birth rates, a challenge that experts say could impact economies and social structures in the coming decades. Francis has often spoken about the importance of family and the dangers of societal trends that discourage parenthood.
His visit to Corsica underscored this message in a region known for its deep religious traditions, a stark contrast to the increasingly secular mainland France. Corsica's 92 confraternities — lay associations dedicated to charity and faith — are a testament to the island’s strong community and family values.
Earlier in the day, Pope Francis addressed a conference on popular piety and called for a “dynamic laicism” — a form of secularism that encourages cooperation between religious and civic life, rather than opposing it. He praised Corsica’s ability to blend faith with civic duty, saying it could serve as a model for others.
“This is a secularity that is not static and fixed, but evolving and dynamic,” Francis said, emphasizing how faith-based traditions like processions and communal prayer can promote responsible citizenship.
Francis was met with enthusiastic crowds as he toured the capital, Ajaccio. Children in traditional dress greeted him with flowers, and local choirs and bands serenaded him along the way. The island’s rich culture and devotion were on full display, reflecting the deep bond between the community and its faith.
The visit included a brief meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, where the two discussed global conflicts, including the war in Ukraine and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Both leaders called for peace and non-violence, echoing Francis’s consistent message of reconciliation.
