After Quebec, today’s attention turns to the parish of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré when Pope Francis will animate a major mass in the basilica.
• Also read: Pope Francis enjoyed a walking tour of the Plains of Abraham
About 70% of the 1,600 seats inside the basilica are reserved for members of indigenous communities.
About 10,000 seats are available outside, in addition to the 5,000 people who will watch the fair from the Domaine Sainte-Anne.
Follow the course of the day, minute by minute
6 am | Already hundreds of pilgrims in Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
Hundreds of pilgrims and members of indigenous communities gathered around the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré as early as 5:30 am Thursday morning to attend the Holy Father’s Mass.
5:45 a.m. | Dozens of shuttles park in front of the Grand Marché de Québec to take pilgrims to the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré.
Photo Mariane Bergeron Courteau
READ | Pope apologizes again to indigenous people
Immediately after his arrival in Quebec, Pope Francis apologized again and expressed his “shame” at the abuses inflicted on indigenous communities by representatives of the Catholic Church for generations.
READ | Pervasive security in Quebec
Photo agency QMI, René Leclerc
Admirers of the Pope were able to stroll the Plains of Abraham with ease on Wednesday, despite a general mobilization by Quebec police forces and pervasive security in every corner of downtown.