Francis drew attention to the importance of cooperation between civil and spiritual authorities.
During his first ever visit to the French Mediterranean island of Corsica, Pope Francis called for “healthy secularism”, reports TASR, according to a report by AFP.
Christian and secular culture should not be opposed to each other, Francis pointed out and called for secularism – the separation of church and state – to be healthy and adaptable.
Constant cooperation between civil and spiritual authorities serves the good of society, František further pointed out in his speech.
“Such healthy secularism allows politics to act without abusing religion and religion to live freely without being burdened by politics dictated by interests,” the Pope said.
France is considered a strictly secular country
France itself, to which Corsica belongs, is considered a strictly secular country – it is an image that is deeply rooted in the local society, DPA states.
Francis, the first pope in history to visit Corsica, should return to the Vatican on Sunday evening. He was greeted by crowds of believers in the streets of the capital, Ajaccio. He still plans to say mass and meet French President Emmanuel Macron.
Most of the 350,000 inhabitants of the island of Corsica, in contrast to secular France, adhere to the Catholic faith.
