Pope Refuses to Attend Notre-Dame Reopening, Sparks Tensions with France During Corsica Visit

Pope Francis’ decision to decline attending the reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris last week has reignited tensions between the Vatican and the French government. Despite receiving multiple invitations from both the French government and the diocese, the Pope chose not to participate, frustrating officials in Paris. This led to a heated phone call from President Macron’s team to Cardinal François-Xavier Bustillo, Archbishop of Ajaccio, who had played a role in organizing the Pope’s visit to Corsica.

The Vatican has provided little explanation for the Pope’s refusal, though a senior Vatican official stated that the visit to Corsica was consistent with the Pope’s preference for smaller countries and border regions. “Corsica is part of France, but it is also an island in the Mediterranean, which has become a key location for migrant issues,” the official said, drawing a contrast with his trip to Paris. The Pope’s visit to Corsica, they stressed, was entirely independent of political considerations in France.

This visit, which also saw the Pope mention Corsica without referencing France directly, has further complicated the already strained relationship between the Pope and the French government. While Pope Francis often speaks candidly on political matters, his refusal to attend such a significant event as the reopening of Notre-Dame adds another layer of tension to his interactions with French authorities, particularly given the symbolism tied to the cathedral and France’s national identity.