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Vatican releases pope's Canada itinerary in sign trip is on

Pope's Canada trip is on

UPDATE 7:28 a.m.

The Vatican has released the program for Pope Francis' trip to Canada next month, which includes visiting the site of a former Alberta residential school with survivors of the institutions.

The papal visit starts in Edmonton on July 24, ends in Iqaluit on July 29 and is to include both public and private events with an emphasis on Indigenous participation.

The pope is to begin the week visiting the Ermineskin Indian Residential School in Alberta with survivors before attending an Indigenous church in downtown Edmonton

The following day, a large mass is planned at Commonwealth Stadium, home of the Edmonton Elks CFL football club.

The pope is then to visit Lac Ste. Anne, site of a large annual pilgrimage.

The Pope will then travel to Quebec City for further events and meetings, and will head to Iqaluit before flying back to Rome.

Francis is expected to deliver an apology for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in residential schools.


ORIGINAL 7:20 a.m.

The Vatican has released the program for Pope Francis' visit to Canada next month, which includes a visit to the site of a former residential school in Alberta with survivors of the institutions.

The Vatican on Thursday released the itinerary for Pope Francis’ July 24-30 visit to Canada, providing a sign he intends to go ahead with the trip despite knee problems that forced him to cancel a similarly difficult visit to Africa.

Francis is due to visit Canada to apologize to Indigenous peoples for abuses at Catholic-run residential schools.

The itinerary includes several encounters with Indigenous groups, including a private meeting with survivors of the schools in remote Iqualuit, where Francis is due to visit for a few hours on his way back to Rome on July 29.

Francis, 85, has been using a wheelchair for over a month because of strained ligaments in his right knee that have made standing and walking difficult.



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