A more restrained visit than in 1984

Pope Francis will visit Quebec at the end of July in a context different from that of the visit of John Paul II in 1984, so that his visit should take on a more sober and less festive character.

“It will certainly be a very different visit, with different objectives, in a different context, with a different pope. So, it will not be a replica of the previous visit, ”sums up Gilles Routhier, full professor at the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at Laval University.

The current leader of the Church travels with a specific objective, that of rebuilding bridges with the indigenous peoples because of the abuses committed in the residential school system. A theme that will necessarily give a tone “of greater gravity”, notes the expert.

Older

In 1984, Pope John Paul II, then 64, crossed the country in a 12-day marathon, drawing huge crowds everywhere he went, including Quebec where he gathered more than 250 000 people at an outdoor mass.

However, Pope Francis, 85, turns out to be older and struggling with mobility problems, so his program – which has not yet been unveiled – risks being less loaded in public appearances. “The steps will be counted”, illustrates Mr. Routhier.

A public high mass bringing together hundreds of thousands of people also seems unlikely, for logistical reasons.

“In 1984, the announcement [de la venue du pape] had been made a year and a half in advance. We don’t prepare this type of gathering in two months, and that’s it now, ”explains Mr. Routhier.

In six days, from July 24 to 29, Pope Francis will make three stops in Canada, in Edmonton, Quebec and Iqaluit.

Charisma

Even if adherence to religion is not what it was 38 years ago either, Gilles Routhier nevertheless invites us not to underestimate the power of attraction of the Holy Father, including among non-Jews. -believers.

Endowed with a “charismatic personality”, Pope Francis could surprise, according to him.

“Currently, Pope Francis is much more valuable than the Catholic Church in the opinion market. He is seen as someone authentic, credible, deeply human and endearing,” he says.

In 1984, few observers predicted the fervor that erupted when the pontiff set foot on Canadian soil, he adds.

The program and itinerary for papal visits are usually made public by the Vatican six to eight weeks before the visit.

Visitors to Charlevoix

The tourism industry is hard at work in Quebec to prepare to welcome many visitors and official delegations for the Pope’s visit.

Pope Francis will land in the week of July 24, which was already one of the busiest of the tourist season, with the start of the construction holiday.

According to Robert Mercure, general manager of Destination Québec quoted, the hotels will therefore probably be full and the fallout could be felt even in the outlying regions.

“In my opinion, it will go as far as Charlevoix, not just Beaupré, so it’s very good news for our region and the visibility will help us promote the destination,” he said.

By thousands

Although “the profile of the event” is different from the passage of John Paul II in 1984, and that there does not seem to be the same “appetite” for large-scale religious gatherings, Robert Mercure does not doubt that thousands of people, surely tens of thousands, will want to see Pope Francis.

The phone also rings “a lot” in accommodation establishments, according to him.

The Holy Father will mainly attract the faithful and the curious who can travel by car, therefore from Quebec, Ontario and the northeastern United States, he predicts.

Many members of indigenous communities in the east of the country will also want to attend the event.

Securing hotel rooms

Currently, the industry’s priority is to secure hundreds of hotel rooms to accommodate official delegations, much like the G7 in 2018.

It will be necessary to accommodate not only the delegation coming from the Vatican, but also other representatives of the Church of the North American continent, the police authorities and many journalists, indicates Alupa Clarke, of the Hotel Association of the region of Quebec.

Cote-de-Beaupre

In Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, even if the pope’s visit has still not been confirmed, the Vatican’s announcement has boosted tourist reservations. Good year, bad year, this period is always very popular because of the feast of Sainte-Anne.

“We were already full on those dates. This is a group of people who have been booking the full motel for several years. They booked before they even knew the pope was coming,” says Luc Gravel, owner of Condo & Motel des Berges.

“I can’t tell you how many people we can expect [si le pape confirme sa visite]. For the moment, it is too embryonic. But indeed, we have already welcomed it, so it is certain that we can do it again, ”says Mayor Jacques Bouchard.