During the solemn Mass on May 17, the Apostolic Nuncio to Canada, Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, read the Holy Father's message, sent on the occasion of the 375th anniversary of Montreal.

Here is the Message:

On the occasion of the Mass celebrated in the Notre-Dame Basilica for the 375th anniversary of the founding of Montreal, His Holiness Pope Francis associates himself with the joy and prayer of all those present. He cordially greets the representatives of the civil society and all the inhabitants of Montreal. The Holy Father gives thanks to the Lord for the faith and the hope that led men and women from France to found Ville-Marie. They have thus demonstrated that "authentic faith - which is never comfortable and individualistic - always implies a deep desire to change the world, to transmit values, to leave something better after our passage on earth" (Evangelii gaudium, no. 183). In fidelity to the evangelical intuitions of the founders of Ville-Marie, the Holy Father encourages all inhabitants of Montreal to build bridges between men, respecting their differences and thus contributing to the building of a more just and fraternal society. With this hope, through the intercession of Notre Dame de Ville-Marie and Saint Joseph of Mount-Royal, he entrusted the city of Montreal and all its inhabitants to the Lord.

Read the original version in French