Couillard hopes for the Pope
Premier invites Pontiff to visit Montreal in 2017
said later. “He knew all about it. He knows Quebec very well.”
Couillard also noted the enthusiasm that greeted the visit of Pope John Paul II to Quebec in 1984.
“Our relationship vis-a-vis the Catholic Church has changed over the years but one thing I’ve noticed is that it is still very important for more Quebecers than you think,” said Couillard, whose four-day trip to Italy and France ends on Friday.
“Where did people go to get together in L’Isle-Verte and Lac-Megantic when tragedy struck? Church.”
Couillard was referring to the train derailment in Lac-Megantic in July 2013 that killed 47 people as well as the fire at a seniors’ home in L’Isle-Verte where 32 people died in January 2014.
It isn’t clear when the Pope will reply to the invitation and Couillard gauged the chances of a papal visit at “50-50.” “Time will tell.” The offer follows a similar invitation Pope Francis exchanges gifts with Premier Philippe Couillard, right, flanked by his wife Suzanne Pilote, during the pontiff's weekly general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican, Wednesday. from Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre last February.
Couillard also gave the Pope gifts from the Lac-Saint-Jean region: a pilgrim’s staff and products from Trappist monks.
Later Wednesday, the premier gave a speech to elected Italian officials.
He used the occasion to tell his audience about the main dates in Quebec’s history and to speak about the influence of the Roman Catholic Church on generations of Quebecers.
Couillard will be in Paris on Thursday to meet French Prime Minister Manuel Valls and is also scheduled to attend a ceremony that day inducting HaitianQuebecois writer Dany Laferriere into L’Academie francaise, France’s council for the French language.
His main political foe, Parti Quebecois Leader Pierre Karl Peladeau, will also be at the Laferriere event as he visits Paris from Wednesday until Friday.
Couillard will return to Italy on Friday to discuss agricultural issues with United Nations officials. its Paris from Wednesday until Friday.
Couillard will return to Italy on Friday to discuss agricultural issues with United Nations officials.