A cold Arctic air mass is causing unusually low temperatures and severe winds across Europe, including heavy snowfall in eastern and central regions, and strong gusts in Corsica, driven by complex atmospheric interactions.
Pope Francis will visit Corsica in December, opting out of attending the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The Vatican announced that the Pope will participate in a conference on the Catholic faith in the Mediterranean in Ajaccio on December 15. Some French bishops expressed disappointment over his absence at the Notre Dame event, but the Pope aims to avoid overshadowing the occasion. This will be his first visit to Corsica, where he will meet President Macron and engage in various religious activities.
Pope Francis will make a historic one-day visit to Corsica on December 15, marking his first trip to the island and his 47th apostolic journey abroad. The visit, invited by French civil and Church authorities, will include a congress on Mediterranean religiosity and a Mass at Place d’Austerlitz. The trip emphasizes the pope's ongoing engagement with the Mediterranean region and highlights Corsica's deep Catholic traditions. The visit's motto, "Jesus Went About Doing Good," underscores its pastoral focus.
A new species of bat, named Myptis nustrale, has been discovered on the French island of Corsica. The medium-sized bat, measuring about an inch and a half long, is grayish in color with long ears and a hairy face. It is distinguished by a dark spot on its lower lip. The bats were found to hunt in dense evergreen forests and roost in cliffs and rocky outcroppings. With a restricted distribution and small population size, the species is considered endangered and vulnerable to climate change. DNA analysis revealed that the bats belong to a previously unknown species in the genus Myptis.
French President Emmanuel Macron expressed support for granting autonomy to Corsica "within the French Republic," but emphasized that any devolved powers must be agreed upon with the French state. Macron set a six-month deadline for the government and Corsican political parties to reach a consensus on a proposed revision to the Constitution. Corsican nationalists, some of whom advocate for independence, have long called for greater powers and recognition of Corsican as an official language. However, these demands remain sensitive in France, where unity and national identity are prioritized.