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.

French President Emmanuel Macron is proposing granting limited autonomy for Corsica in a modest step toward nationalist sentiment on the Mediterranean island.

A European humanitarian group says its migrant rescue ship is heading toward the French island of Corsica in hopes that France will offer its 234 passengers a safe port.

Violent thunderstorms and hurricane-force winds in France and Italy have left at least eight people dead.

French President Emmanuel Macron gives a press conference at Corsica's prefecture in Ajaccio, Corsica island, Thursday Sept.10, 2020. Turkish leaders have lashed out at France and the EU for siding with Greece and Cyprus in the dispute. We Europeans need to be clear and firm" with the government of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about its inadmissible behavior," he said. The leaders also plan to discuss EU and NATO operations in the Mediterranean and their relation to Turkey. EU Council President Charles Michel will travel to Greece, Cyprus and Malta next week for talks with leaders.