French President Emmanuel Macron will attend the celebration of mass by Pope Francis on Saturday September 23 at the Vélodrome stadium in Marseille. A decision criticized by certain members of the left-wing opposition who accuse it of not respecting secularism but the Élysée accepts it.
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Move along, there is nothing to see, this is a bit how the Élysée responded to criticism of the presence of Emmanuel Macron at Pope Francis’ mass in Marseille, a moment described as ” popular » with 60,000 people gathered in the famous Vélodrome stadium in the Marseille city.
No ” national controversy »
La France insoumise (LFI) from which the first spikes came is targeted by the entourage of the President of the Republic who believes that there is no “ national controversy » but attacks coming from a single political party, neglecting other critical positions such as that of the communist Fabien Roussel.
For the Élysée, “ there is a difference between “attend mass” And “participate in the Eucharist”, take the host “, which the Head of State will not do, because, as General de Gaulle said, quoted by an advisor: ” The Republic does not communicate. »
Funeral of Johnny Hallyday
And to recall that already for the funerals of singer Johnny Hallyday or the former head of state, Jacques Chirac, Emmanuel Macron had attended masses, just like his predecessors on other occasions. Secularism, explains the Élysée, does not prevent the Republic from maintaining relations with religions.
Same desire to clear the air on the subject of the end of life, sensitive for Catholics. the Élysée denies having postponed the presentation of the bill in preparation to spare the pope.
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