Pope Francis begins ‘penitential pilgrimage’ to Canada
Pope Francis is welcomed by a group of Indigenous leaders Sunday, July 24, 2022, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
On July 24, 2022 at 11.20 am local time, Pope Francis landed in Edmonton to begin a pilgrimage to meet the indigenous people of Canada. Pope Francis will apologise for role Catholic religious orders and dioceses played in the Government of Canada’s assimilation policy from the late 1800’s to the 1970’s. During this period Catholic entities ran about 60 percent of the residential schools. Pope Francis will also apologise for the abuse suffered by students in these institutions.