Pope may visit Quebec in 2008

Pope John Paul II has announced that Quebec City will host a major Catholic conference in 2008, and he hopes to attend if his health permits.

The conference of about 15,000 people will be held in conjunction with the city's 400th anniversary celebrations.

• FROM JULY 23, 2002: Pope's arrival starts joyful celebration

Priest Jean Piché, who is currently in Mexico, had promoted Quebec City as an ideal location for the conference. He believes the anniversary celebrations are the reason the city won the hosting responsibilities.

"It will allow us to relive the history of our people," he said. "This is the place that allowed us to start many institutions and services."

The aging pontiff last visited Canada for World Youth Day celebrations in 2002. He rallied from poor health due to Parkinson's disease to attend the Toronto event, which drew 200,000 young Catholics from around the world.