On December 15, the President of the Republic had the opportunity to meet the Pope before he took off for Rome. He took the opportunity to give her a gift full of innuendo.
After declining Emmanuel Macron’s invitation for the reopening ceremony of Notre-Dame de Paris, on December 7 and 8, Pope Francis decided to go to Corsica, this Sunday, December 15. The president nevertheless had the opportunity to meet him at Ajaccio airport, shortly before taking off for Rome. The head of state even took advantage of their exchange, which lasted 45 minutes, to slip him some gifts. In addition to the chalice from Corsican artisans Antoine Cesari and Stéphane Deguilhen, the Pope will therefore be able to boast of having received two works from Emmanuel Macron.
And not just any books: the choice of the French president resonates in the news. Remember that although personalities from around the world, such as Donald Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky and Prince William, came to witness the reopening of the monument after five years of work, Pope Francis preferred not to make the trip.
Emmanuel Macron nevertheless wanted to remind the Pope that the restoration of Notre-Dame was a source of French pride. The president took advantage of the moment spent in a lounge at Ajaccio airport to offer him Rebuilding Notre-Dame de Paristhe official book of the restoration of the cathedral devastated by a fire on April 15, 2019. A not-so-subtle nod to the event of recent weeks.
According to the Élysée, he also gave him an old edition of Charles Péguy, Presentation of Beauce at Notre-Dame de Chartres. On the occasion of this interview, the Head of State still wanted to thank the Pope for this historic visit: “It is a great honor for the city of Ajaccio, for Corsica and for France to welcome you,” said he declared.
At 7:15 p.m., the pontiff finally left Ajaccio after a rich day spent in Corsica. Between the greeting of the faithful in the Popemobile, the numerous speeches and the giant mass given at the end of the afternoon, the Pope has something to remember about his first visit to the Isle of Beauty. All without counting the presents from Emmanuel Macron.