In the heart of the tourist season in the capital, the population of Quebec and its visitors observe with curiosity the preparations for the arrival of Pope Francis on Wednesday. A visit that does not attract crowds.
Posted at 6:26 p.m.
After two pandemic years, dozens of tourists swarm among the ancestral buildings and picturesque streets of Old Quebec. But among all these visitors, few are aware of the arrival of Pope Francis before their visit, observed The Press.
Remember that Pope Francis has been making a seven-day pilgrimage to Canada since July 24, which he describes as “penitential”. The sovereign pontiff arrived in Alberta since Sunday and presented the official apologies of the Church to the Aboriginals for the past abuses on Monday.
His arrival in Quebec on Wednesday will be followed the next day by a mass at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré. Activities are planned on the Plains of Abraham, in particular the live broadcast of the arrival of the sovereign pontiff and his speech. The entrance is accessible to all.
“A little regret”
Sitting on the Plains of Abraham, Severine and Gennaro Cardillo, with their little dog Pryam, had not realized that the pope would be there before organizing their tour across Quebec. “We have a little regret, because we are Europeans and we did not have the opportunity [de voir le pape] the low. »
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
Gennaro Cardillo, Séverine Cardillo, Dany Coderre and Marie-Claude Prévost on vacation in Quebec
The two visitors, accompanied by a couple of Quebec friends, spent a few days in the capital, but will leave before the arrival of the sovereign pontiff on Wednesday. They can witness the preparations in the capital. “There is a lot of protection, observes Marie-Claude Prévost, originally from Sainte-Julienne, in Lanaudière. We saw police walking and going back and forth. »
Failing to be present for the arrival of the pope on Wednesday, the two couples observe the scene being mounted on the Plains, near the citadel. Another is also under construction at the other end of the Plains. This is where the broadcast of the papal arrival will take place.
Several other tourists met on the spot told The Press that their visit happened to coincide with that of Pope Francis. “Honestly, I had no idea,” says Sara Parker, a 22-year-old from Montreal. I learned about the “no parking” signs! »
For her, who knows Quebec well, the city is busy. “I was surprised how busy it was on a Tuesday,” she says.
The stars are aligned
Others are delighted to be present for the event. For Eduardo Melo, who is celebrating his 70e anniversary on Tuesday, the papal visit is timely. “As a Catholic, I think it should have been done long before [la visite et les excuses aux peuples autochtones], he believes. But I’m glad he’s here. »
How does he describe the capital? “It’s full, our hotel is full!” »
Indeed, the Manoir de l’Esplanade hotel, located at the corner of Auteuil and Saint-Louis streets, in Old Quebec, is sold out. “As is often the case in the summer,” tempers the receptionist, Raphaël Boudin-Côté. “But customers are curious about the Pope’s visit. A few minutes ago, a client came to ask me a question about the schedule, etc. »
“We are not so proud”
A little further on, on the walls of the Citadel, Pierre Bélanger and Marylène Amyot take a walk. Coming from Cap Rouge, they chose to come on Tuesday to take advantage of the city center, to be able to avoid it in the coming days. “We want to be sure not to be caught in the hubbub,” explains Mr. Bélanger. We’re not even going to open our television! »
PHOTO EDOUARD PLANTE-FRÉCHETTE, THE PRESS
Pierre Belanger and Marylene Amyot
The papal visit does not excite the indifferent couple. “It’s not like visiting [du pape Jean-Paul II] in the 1980s, says M.me Amyot. With everything that’s happened in our history, I think we’re not that proud. »