According to Pope Francis, the upcoming papal visit to Canada will be a “penitential pilgrimage” to promote healing and harmony.
From July 24 to July 29, the pope is scheduled to visit Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit in Canada.
He will encounter Catholics, survivors of abuse at residential schools, and members of Canada’s indigenous groups there.
After the Angelus on July 17, Francis said, “Next Sunday, God willing, I will depart for Canada; consequently, I wish to address all the people of that country.”
As you are aware, I will be visiting you in particular in the name of Jesus to greet and embrace the native peoples.
He expressed gratitude to everyone involved in planning the trip and requested prayers.
He declared, “I am about to make a penitential pilgrimage that I hope, with God’s grace, will add to the journey of healing and reconciliation already under way.”
The pope recalled his personal encounters with Métis, Inuit, and First Nations representatives at the Vatican at the end of March and the beginning of April, and the sorrow and solidarity he expressed for the harm they had endured.
He stated, “Unfortunately, many Christians in Canada, including some members of religious organisations, have contributed to the cultural assimilation policies that, in the past, have severely harmed native communities in various ways.”
In Canada, Pope Francis is anticipated to apologise on behalf of the Catholic Church for the mistreatment of native students in Catholic-run residential schools.
A “pilgrimage of healing and reconciliation,” as the Canadian bishops referred to Francis’ visit last year, is something they would welcome.
Along with South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the 85-year-old pope had other trips planned for July 2–7 but decided to cancel them “at the request of his doctors.”
He has been dealing with a knee problem for a while.
After learning that he needed 20 additional days of rehabilitation and rest for his knee before his flight to Canada, the decision was made to cancel the Africa trip.
Francis stated that the fracture was “slowly getting better” with the aid of laser and magnet therapy in a July 1 interview with Reuters.