Visit of Pope Francis and cultural programming
The Plains of Abraham will have programming to focus on the Spirit of Reconciliation
July 21, 2022 – Pope Francis has chosen to meet with the people who will gather in Quebec City during his penitential pilgrimage here. The organizers of the papal visit have announced that a Popemobile tour of the Plains of Abraham will take place on the afternoon of July 27, in the midst of a large gathering on the theme of reconciliation.
It will also be possible to welcome the Pope along the route from the airport to the Citadelle of Quebec (see maps prepared by the City of Quebec), particularly on Grande-Allée, from Bougainville Avenue to the Citadelle. After his visit with government officials and his public address, scheduled for 4:45 p.m., the Pope will travel by Popemobile behind the Armoury via George VI Avenue East. His convoy will then make a loop on the Plains of Abraham before returning to the Grande Allée, which becomes Chemin Saint-Louis, in the direction of the Archdiocese of Quebec.
The Plains of Abraham site will therefore be a particularly interesting space for people who wish to be at the heart of the action on the occasion of this historic moment and demonstrate their personal commitment to the reconciliation process underway and having residential schools survivors at heart.
Remember that access to this site will remain free, no tickets are required. People who wish to register to receive e-mail updates can do so on the site visitepapale.ca/plaines. We would like to thank the National Battlefields Commission for its warm welcome, as well as the City of Québec, notably through its Major Events Office and the Québec City Police Department.
Programming notes
The general public will be able to gather on July 27 and 28 at two locations on the Plains of Abraham: a main site, behind the Quebec City Armoury, and a secondary site, in front of the Musée national des beaux-arts du Québec (MNBAQ). Giant screens will allow people to watch live the events in which the Pope will participate.
On Wednesday, the 27th, from approximately 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., those gathered will be able to enjoy programming conceived by the Papal Visit team: Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists will be present on the stage of the Plains’ major events site. Along with French and English Catholic artists, they will bear witness in their own way to the encounter of cultures and spiritualties. They will take turns offering musical entertainment, under the theme “Walking Together: Hope for Reconciliation”. This title evokes that we are moving step by step towards reconciliation. The visit of Pope Francis represents an important milestone in this process and the path we have taken together can open up ways to live together better.
The reception of the great walk for healing Puamun Meshkenu
The Papal Visit Team salutes the independent initiative of the Puamun Meshkenu organization which is undertaking a great walk for healing today from Mashteuiatsh (all details on puamun.com). The walkers left this morning from the site of the former Pointe-Bleue residential school, the last to close its doors in Quebec, in 1991. They will walk 275 km through Wendake on July 26 and will reach the Plains of Abraham, at the Edwin-Bélanger Bandstand, between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. on July 27. The walkers will then undertake the last segment of their walk and will be welcomed at the heart of the program immediately after the arrival of Pope Francis at the Quebec City airport. A delegation will speak on the main stage about the experience and the common goal of healing and reconciliation in solidarity with residential school survivors.
Plan your participation in the Plains
The City of Québec’s website contains a lot of relevant information to help you plan your trip. Pay particular attention to the health recommendations in the context of a large event and summer heat. Everything is being done to ensure that participants have a safe time during their presence on the Plains of Abraham site. A large team of partners will ensure the deployment of the health component, including psychological support dedicated to Indigenous people.
It will be allowed and recommended to bring lawn chairs, umbrellas, binoculars, a cooler with food, a water bottle (no glass bottles). On the Plains of Abraham, it is forbidden to bring alcohol, cooking equipment (BBQ or stove), as well as firecrackers or fireworks.
Préparation municipale à l’occasion de la visite du pape François
