Governor General to visit Italy and the Holy See from February 24 to 27, 2006
February 21, 2006
OTTAWA– At the request of the Prime Minister of Canada, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada, and His Excellency Jean-Daniel Lafond will travel to Torino to attend the closing ceremonies of the 2006 Olympic Winter Games. Their Excellencies will also visit Rome and The Holy See for meetings with His Excellency Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of the Italian Republic, and with His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.
The detailed itinerary is attached. The schedule is subject to change.
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Media information in Ottawa
Lucie Brosseau
Rideau Hall Press Office
(613) 998-0287
Media information in Italy
Randy Mylyk
Press Secretary to the Governor General
335 764 1080
For information regarding the itinerary in Italy
Kate Starkey
Canadian Embassy in Rome
39 335 7167613
Visit to Italy and the Holy See, February 24 to 27, 2006
Friday, February 24 – Torino
11:50 a.m.
Tour of the Olympic Village, Torino
Piazza Galimberti
OPEN TO MEDIA, INTERNATIONAL ZONE ONLY
12:30 p.m.
Luncheon with Canadian athletes
CLOSED TO MEDIA
6:00 p.m.
Tour of exhibits Inuit and People from the ice and Nunacarte
Museo Regionale di Scienze Naturali
PHOTO-OP
7:00 p.m.
Reception hosted by His Worship Sam Sullivan, Mayor of Vancouver
Main Hall, BC-Canada Place, Piazzale Valdo Fusi
CLOSED TO MEDIA
Saturday, February 25 – Torino
10:30 a.m.
Visit to Canada Olympic House
Palazzo Cavour
OPEN TO MEDIA
2:00 p.m.
Tour of the Press Centre and the International Broadcast Centre
3:00 p.m.
Meeting with Mr. Jacques Rogge, President of the International Olympic Committee
CLOSED TO MEDIA, OFFICAL PHOTOGRAPHERS ONLY
7:00 p.m.
Reception hosted by the Honourable Gordon Campbell, Premier of British Columbia
(Remarks by Premier Campbell and the Governor General)
Main Hall, BC-Canada Place, Piazzale Valdo Fusi
OPEN TO MEDIA FOR REMARKS
Sunday, February 26 – Torino
9:30 a.m.
Meeting with the Chiefs of the Four host First Nations
Whistler Boardroom, BC-Canada Place, Piazzale Valdo Fusi
PHOTO-OP AT THE CONCLUSION OF THE MEETING
10:30 a.m.
Visit of the exhibit: The Gold Rush. The Imaginary Klondike
National Museum of the Mountain, Monte dei Capuccini
PHOTO-OP
8:00 p.m.
Closing ceremonies of the 2006 Torino Olympic Winter Games
Torino Stadio Olimpico, Santa Rita
Monday, February 27 – Rome
11:00 a.m.
Private Audience with His Holiness Benedict XVI
Papal Library, Apostolic Palace, Holy See
MEDIA ARE ASKED TO CONTACT JEAN BOURASSA at the CANADIAN EMBASSY TO THE HOLY SEE at 011-39-06 6830 7316
11:30 a.m.
Meeting with His Eminence Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Cardinal Secretary of State
Cardinal Secretary of State’s Office, Vatican
CLOSED TO MEDIA
6:30 p.m.
Meeting with His Excellency Carlo Azeglio Ciampi, President of the Italian Republic
President’s Study, Nobile Level, Quirinale Palace
PHOTO-OP AT THE BEGINNING OF THE MEETING
