Papal visit hopes to repair relationship with Indigenous Peoples

SASKATOON — The Vatican has released the official itinerary of Pope Francis with the pontiff heading straight to Edmonton to make his first visit to Canada to meet with Indigenous Peoples, especially residential school survivors.

The Holy Father will leave Rome on July 24, Thursday, at 9:00 a.m. local time and will arrive at the Edmonton International Airport for the official welcome at 11:20 a.m. the same day. Rome is eight hours ahead of Alberta, which follows mountain daylight time.

The theme of the papal visit is “Walking Together” which will focus on reconciliation and healing the strained relationship between the Catholic church and Indigenous Peoples, especially the survivors of the abuses caused by attending the Canadian residential school system.

Pope Francis’ six-day trip is a combination of public and private events and meetings, especially with Indigenous Peoples. The visit comes after a few months when a historic meeting between First Nations, Inuit and Métis delegates in the Vatican early this year.

His first official function is visiting the former residential school site in Maskwacis in Edmonton where he would meet with Indigenous Peoples and members of the parish community of Sacred Heart. Pope Francis will leave for Quebec on Wednesday, July 27, and will conclude his trip in Iqaluit on Friday, July 29, before heading back to Rome the same day.

Archbishop Richard Smith, the general coordinator of the papal visit said the meetings at the Vatican between Pope Francis and Indigenous Peoples were an unforgettable experience for the pontiff.

“We know that the Holy Father was deeply moved by his encounter with Indigenous Peoples in Rome earlier this year and that he hopes to build on the important dialogue that took place. We pray this pilgrimage will serve as another meaningful step in the long journey of healing, reconciliation and hope,” said Smith.

Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops president Bishop Raymond Poisson commended all the efforts being done in organizing the event, the fourth papal visit in Canada, and the first since St. John Paul II in 2002.

“So many people are working diligently to organize this very busy schedule for the Holy Father and participants. We pray for the health of Pope Francis and also that his pastoral visit to Canada will bring reconciliation and hope to all those who will accompany our shepherd on this historic journey,” Poisson said in a statement.

Pope Francis will be visiting Edmonton, Quebec and Iqaluit with his itinerary including a meeting with Indigenous Peoples, a visit to the Lac St. Anne pilgrimage site and celebrating Eucharistic liturgical services. The Pope will be in Canada from July 24 to 20.

The now 85-year-old pontiff, however, is expected to have limited public engagements and attend other public events due to his age. He has been hounded by knee problems, a condition that had the Vatican canceling his scheduled trips to Congo and South Sudan in early July.

He had a minor knee operation in May of this year and was seen in public in a wheelchair several times. He also had a surgical procedure that removed the left side of his colon in July of last year.