In Canada, the pope announced his itinerary: the warmth of the aboriginal people

Salvatore Cernuzio – Vatican City

Numerous meetings with aboriginal people, including alumni of residential schools and believers participating in the Inspirational Pilgrimage to Lake Sand Anna, will mark Pope Francis’ visit to Canada from July 24 to 30. The Vatican Press Office released the official plan today. An agenda full of meetings, though Pontif is spaced out to allow for moments of relaxation, it is planned to include visits to Edmonton, Muscovites, Quebec, Ecuador, four speeches, four sermons, and a greeting.

Departed from Rome to Edmonton

More specifically, the departure from Rome / Fumicino Airport is scheduled for 9 a.m., with destination Edmonton. Arriving there after a journey of approximately thirteen hours, the Pope will land at the International Airport at 11.20 (Canadian time) where the official reception will take place. The pope’s voyage will stop the next day, Monday, July 25, at a community mosque in central Alberta. At this location, about 70 km south of Edmonton, Francis will meet with the Indigenous peoples First Nations, the Medes and the Inuit, whose representation was received at the Vatican from March 28 to June 1. The Pope will deliver the first speech of the trip. In the afternoon, at 4.45pm, he will meet with other Native people and members of the parish community at Sacred Heart Church in Edmonton.

Lac Ste. Pilgrimage to Anne

On Tuesday, July 26, Pope Francis celebrates Mass of the Saints Joachim and Anna at 10.15am at the “Commonwealth Grounds” in Edmonton. On the other hand, at 5 pm, one of the most important events of the whole journey will take place: the participation of the Bishop of Rome in the “Lock Ste. Anne Pilgrimage”, or the annual pilgrimage in memory of St. Anne on the shores of the Recommended Locksmith in Alberta, about 45 miles west of Edmonton. Founded in 1887 by the missionaries of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Conception, it is one of the most widely attended spiritual congregations in North America, still attracting about 40,000 pilgrims, and is very close to the hearts of the people of the first countries who truly participate each year. . The Pope will preside over the Word Worship for the event and deliver the Eucharist.

Stop in Quebec

On the third day of the trip, on July 27, Francesco will be seen heading to Quebec, where he will arrive at 15.05am after a 9am flight from Edmonton. A reception will be held at the Governor – General’s residence, known as the “Citadelle de Québec”, at 3.40 pm, followed by a tribute to Governor Mary Simon, followed by a meeting with Prime Minister Franசois LeCold and civil officials. , With representatives of the diplomatic forces and the tribal people. The Pope will address all of them. Yet in Quebec, Francis celebrates Mass on July 28, at 10 a.m., in the National Church of St. Anne de Puebra, whose origins date back to the 17th century, which attracts one million believers annually. The second meeting of the fourth day of the trip is set for 5pm instead, with bishops, priests, deacons, seminarians and pastoral staff worshiping at Notre Dame Cathedral.

Personal meeting with former residential school students

Friday, July 29 will begin with a personal meeting with members of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith at 9 a.m. in the Archbishop’s office in Quebec. At the same place, the pope will meet with representatives of the indigenous people in the French-speaking city about an hour and a half later. At 12.45 pm, the Pope will fly to Igloo, the capital of Nunavut, a Canadian region south of the Arctic Circle but characterized by a polar climate. Founded as an American air base, it has been used as a fishing ground by the Inuit community for centuries. In fact, its name means “place of many fish”.

Francesco will attend a local elementary school and meet in person with a group of students from former boarding schools. Schools, ie between the end of the 19th century and the last decades of the 20th century, were established by the Canadian government to culturally integrate Native children. These institutions, which are handed over to local Christian churches, including the Catholic Church, are generally underfunded, and children are often subjected to physical and psychological abuse and abuse. Some of these victims came to Rome at the aforementioned meeting at the end of last March and told the Pope their stories, and on June 1 the audience apologized publicly to Canadians and bishops. At the end of the meeting, which is scheduled for 5 to 6.15 pm, Pope Francis will leave for Iqbal Airport, where the farewell ceremony will take place. The flight will depart Rome at 6.45pm and land at 7.50am Italian time the next day, July 30.