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.

Pope Francis, on his first visit to Corsica, praised the island people's deep faith and tradition of popular piety. On December 5, thousands of Corsicans gathered in Ajaccio to welcome the first pope ever to visit the island.

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,