The excitement is palpable at the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré basilica, near Quebec, which is preparing to welcome Pope Francis at the end of July.
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“Every year, we do work. But since we had the announcement that we were going to welcome the pope here, we have been doing a little more,” says Assunta Bouchard, vice-rector at the Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré sanctuary.
A chair specially designed for the pope will be delivered within a few weeks.
“Since he is our head of the Catholic Church, he will have his own white chair,” explains Ms. Bouchard.
The choir of the basilica, formed for 45 years, will sing for the occasion.
“They are honored to sing for the pope,” she said.
Reconciliation between the Catholic Church and indigenous communities will be the main theme during his visit.
“The main guests will be the Aboriginal people. This is a very important step,” underlines the vice-rector.