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Vatican announces late July visit by Pop

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The Vatican formally announced Friday a visit by Pope Francis to Canada from July 24 to 29. 

The Pope will make three main stops, in Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit, during the last week of July. CBC News previously reported the three cities were under strong consideration for the papal visit.

Archbishop Richard Smith, the co-ordinator of the papal visit to Canada, said the Pope's trip has been limited to only three "hubs" because of the Pope's mobility issues. 

"What's really directing this is the Pope's limited ability to get around," Smith said from Edmonton on Friday. 

"The Vatican was very, very clear: when he comes to a country, he can't get around by helicopter, he can't be in a car any more than an hour, he cannot be in a different place every night."

More locations near the sites and specific itinerary details will be released six to eight weeks prior to the papal visit, according to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).

  • Muskowekwan First Nation calls for Pope to visit local residential school site during Canada trip
  • Low-profile apologies from Archbishop of Canterbury amounted to a missed opportunity, says former TRC chair

Planning is underway for the Pope to visit the Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage grounds, a designated national historic site located about 75 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, and possibly Ermineskin Cree Nation, about 100 kilometres south of Edmonton.

Smith said that offering to fund the travel costs of Indigenous people who want to see the Pope in person during his visit is "something to be determined," but that the church wants "to do what we can to support them being present with the Holy Father."

Apology expected in Canada

The pontiff initially announced his plan to visit Canada during a meeting on April 1 with First Nations, Inuit and Métis delegates, who travelled to the Vatican to meet him.

Pope Francis also offered an initial apology for the actions of individual Roman Catholic Church members in Canada's residential schools. 

Smith said he expects Pope Francis to repeat the apology he gave when visited by Indigenous leaders in Rome. 

"He understands, as we all do, the strong connection of Indigenous Peoples to their land. The land, for them, culturally, spiritually, historically, in terms of their customs — they are deeply, deeply connected to it," Smith said.

"We fully expect that the Pope will reiterate the apology that he did give in Rome."


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The Vatican formally announced Friday a visit by Pope Francis to Canada from July 24 to 29. 

The Pope will make three main stops, in Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit, during the last week of July. CBC News previously reported the three cities were under strong consideration for the papal visit.

Archbishop Richard Smith, the co-ordinator of the papal visit to Canada, said the Pope's trip has been limited to only three "hubs" because of the Pope's mobility issues. 

"What's really directing this is the Pope's limited ability to get around," Smith said from Edmonton on Friday. 

"The Vatican was very, very clear: when he comes to a country, he can't get around by helicopter, he can't be in a car any more than an hour, he cannot be in a different place every night."

More locations near the sites and specific itinerary details will be released six to eight weeks prior to the papal visit, according to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB).

  • Muskowekwan First Nation calls for Pope to visit local residential school site during Canada trip
  • Low-profile apologies from Archbishop of Canterbury amounted to a missed opportunity, says former TRC chair

Planning is underway for the Pope to visit the Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage grounds, a designated national historic site located about 75 kilometres northwest of Edmonton, and possibly Ermineskin Cree Nation, about 100 kilometres south of Edmonton.

Smith said that offering to fund the travel costs of Indigenous people who want to see the Pope in person during his visit is "something to be determined," but that the church wants "to do what we can to support them being present with the Holy Father."

Apology expected in Canada

The pontiff initially announced his plan to visit Canada during a meeting on April 1 with First Nations, Inuit and Métis delegates, who travelled to the Vatican to meet him.

Pope Francis also offered an initial apology for the actions of individual Roman Catholic Church members in Canada's residential schools. 

Smith said he expects Pope Francis to repeat the apology he gave when visited by Indigenous leaders in Rome. 

"He understands, as we all do, the strong connection of Indigenous Peoples to their land. The land, for them, culturally, spiritually, historically, in terms of their customs — they are deeply, deeply connected to it," Smith said.

"We fully expect that the Pope will reiterate the apology that he did give in Rome."


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