Pope won't visit Montreal for 375th anniversary, sends blessings to all

Pope Francis has declined an invitation by Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillardto visit the city in 2017 for the375th anniversary of its founding, but he has sent his blessings instead.

A diplomatic representative for the Pope, Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi,informedthe Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops that the Popewouldn't be able to visit Canada at all next year.

However, Bonazzi added: "It is his earnest hope to consider the possibility of including Canada among the destinations of his apostolic visits at the time of planning his travels for 2018-2019."

Coderre visited Rome in 2015 to meetPope Francis and invite him to Montreal. He had said he believes the Pope transcends religion.

In the months after that meeting, Couillardalso invited the Popeto visitMontreal for the year-long celebration,and then Prime Minister Stephen Harperrequested he come to Canada to help mark the country's150th anniversary of Confederation.

Bonazzi said the Pope sends his blessings "to all the faithful of Canada and to the entire country."

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