Edmonton-area schedule includes a visit to a residential school site and to Lac Ste. Anne pilgrimage, as well as an open-air Mass at Commonwealth Stadium
Media release from CCCB communications
[Ottawa – June 23, 2022] – Canada’s Catholic Bishops welcomed the June 23 announcement from the Holy See providing further details of the itinerary of Pope Francis’ historic visit to Canada, July 24 to 29, 2022. This will be the fourth papal visit to Canada and the first since Saint John Paul II’s journey to World Youth Day in 2002.
The Holy Father’s pilgrimage will focus on Indigenous healing and reconciliation while also providing the shepherd of the world’s 1.2 billion Catholics an opportunity to encounter the faithful in Canada. Due to his advanced age and limitations, it is expected that participation by Pope Francis at public events will be limited to approximately one hour.
Schedule of events during visit – LINK
General coordinator of the papal visit to Canada, Archbishop Richard Smith, remarked on the release of the program: “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.”
The visit, drawing on the theme of “Walking Together”, will include a combination of public and private events, with an emphasis on Indigenous participation throughout the visit.
Ticketing (free) for public events will be announced in the coming days. A volunteer portal can be accessed at papalvisit.ca or visitepapale.ca for those wishing to share their time and talents as part of the historic visit.
Announcements from Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon:
BISHOP HAGEMOEN – Responding to newly-released details about the papal visit schedule, Bishop Mark Hagemoen says that plans are underway for a bus trip to Edmonton from Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, as well as for a Saskatoon event on July 26, held in conjunction with the papal visit, with more details to be announced soon: LINK to Bishop Hagemoen’s letter to the diocese..IN OUR DIOCESE – Overview of events and plans for the pilgrimage of reconciliation and healing during Pope Francis’s visit to Canada: LINK to more information from Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatoon coordinators...DONATIONS – To support a Residential School Survivor to attend, to support the Catholic TRC Healing Response and/or to support the papal visit, see the Diocese of Saskatoon Catholic Foundation: dscf.ca/papal-visit-2022..
CCCB President, Bishop Raymond Poisson, commented on the efforts: “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.”
Those interested in learning more about the Papal Visit to Canada can find the latest updates at: www.papalvisit.ca (English) and www.visitepapale.ca (French).
Highlights of the program announced by the Vatican include:
July 24, 2022
The Holy Father will arrive in Edmonton, Alberta on Sunday, July 24. Following a brief airport ceremony, the 85-year-old pontiff will take the remainder of the day to rest.
July 25, 2022
On Monday, July 25, Pope Francis will visit Maskwacis, home to the former Ermineskin Residential School, one of the largest residential school sites in Canada. The Holy Father will join former residential school students from across the country as part of a formal program. Alberta is home to the largest number of former residential schools in Canada.
Later in the day, the pontiff will visit Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples, a National Indigenous church in downtown Edmonton. Following extensive restoration after a devastating fire in 2020, the parish will re-open its doors after using a nearby school the last several years to offer hospitality, spiritual care and supportive outreach programs serving a diverse urban Indigenous community. This will be an invitation-only event.
July 26, 2022
Tuesday, July 26 is the feast of St. Anne, grandmother of Jesus, a day of particular reverence for Indigenous Catholics and often the focus of pilgrimage in various parts of the country.
In an event that will be open to the public, the Holy Father will celebrate an open-air Mass at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton. The facility can accommodate up to 65,000 attendees for a program that will incorporate Indigenous traditions as part of the gathering.
In the early evening, the Holy Father will travel to Lac Ste. Anne, the site of an annual pilgrimage that welcomes tens of thousands of Indigenous participants from throughout Canada and the United States each year. Programming will be offered throughout the day leading up to the Holy Father’s participation in a prayer service.
July 27, 2022
The Holy Father will depart Edmonton for Quebec City on Wednesday, July 27.
Upon arrival in Quebec, the Pontiff will visit La Citadelle, where he will take part in private meetings. Pope Francis, as both a spiritual leader and head of state, will also offer a public address.
For events in Quebec City, the public is also invited to participate at a dedicated area on the Plains of Abraham, where there will be opportunities on July 27 and 28 for Indigenous cultural expression as well as the chance to view papal events on large screens. The detailed program of activities on the Plains is being developed with Indigenous and community partners.
July 28, 2022
Pope Francis will travel to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré Thursday, July 28, where he will celebrate Mass at one of the oldest and most popular pilgrimage sites in North America, drawing more than a million visitors to the site (including annual Indigenous pilgrimages) each year. Organizers anticipate between 10,000 and 15,000 guests may attend with space for guests both inside and outside the basilica.
Later in the day, the HolyFather will meet with bishops, priests, seminarians, consecrated men and women as well as those who work in various church ministries, as is customary with most papal visits. The pope will have the remainder of the evening for rest while a dinner focused on friendship and ongoing dialogue will bring together Indigenous leaders from Eastern Canada and representatives of the Catholic Bishops of Canada.
July 29, 2022
Following a private meeting with members of his own religious order (Society of Jesus) Friday, July 29, Pope Francis will meet with Indigenous leaders from Eastern Canada before departing for Iqaluit, where he will spend the afternoon in a private meeting with residential school survivors before attending a public community event hosted by Inuit.
The Holy Father will depart for Rome from Iqaluit in the early evening of July 29.
Catholic Bishops Welcome Announcement (English PDF) / (French PDF)
Related: Pope Francis coming to Canada
Related: Saskatchewan Catholic bishops respond to news of papal visit
Related: Archbishop Bolen and Chief Delorme call for new ways of “Walking With Your Neighbour”
Related: Manitoba Métis praise Pope Francis for listening
Related: Indigenous leaders see “fresh tracks” in hunt for healing
Related: Pope apologizes for treatment of Indigenous People, promises to visit
Related: Text of Papal Apology
Related: Indigenous People want truth about past, partnership for future
Related: Catholic TRC Healing Response (information and to donate)
Video of media conference in Alberta June 23:
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About the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops
The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) is the national assembly of the Bishops of Canada. It was founded in 1943 and officially recognized by the Holy See in 1948.