I don't think we can easily separate his skepticism from his faith (as Newman said, "faith means being capable of bearing doubt"). His Catholicism seems to have been genuine. As Donald Frame notes in his wonderful biography, he "played a decisive role" in making sure the future Saint Jeanne de Lestonnac was raised a Catholic. Frame quotes Pope Pius XII as saying of Montaigne in regard to Saint Jeanne that "it is thanks to him that the little girl became a Catholic." Also Montaigne seems to have died when the Host was elevated as Mass was being said in his sick room, his last gesture being to rise up as best he could, hands clasped.
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