The Vatican has called the trip a “penitent pilgrimage” and the pope will be welcomed in Edmonton on Sunday by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mary Simon, Canada’s governor general.
While in the country, he will meet with indigenous groups and discuss the scandal of abuse and eradication of indigenous culture in the country’s residential schools.
Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission has reported that more than 4,000 Indigenous children died from neglect or abuse in residential schools, many of which were run by the Catholic Church.
In April, the pope told native leaders at the Vatican that he feels “sadness and shame for the part that some Catholics, especially those with educational responsibilities, have played in all these things that have hurt you, in the abuses you have suffered.” and in the lack of respect for your identity, your culture and even your spiritual values.”
The Pope will also travel to Quebec and Iqaluit, the capital of the Canadian territory of Nunavut, during the trip. Two Canadian cardinals will accompany him during his visit, Cardinal Marc Ouellet and Cardinal Michael Czerny.
Francis, 85, had canceled a trip to Africa earlier this month due to problems with his knee.
He said in an interview with Reuters that he still plans to visit Russia after the invasion of Ukraine, but has been criticized for prioritizing that destination over a visit to Ukraine, and for partly blaming NATO for the Russian invasion.
“I would like to go, it is possible that I will manage to go to Ukraine. The first is to go to Russia to try to help, but I would like to go to both capitals,” Francis said.
In a June interview with the Italian newspaper La Stampa, Francis said the war “may have been provoked in some way or not prevented”.
Pope Francis said that before Russia invaded Ukraine, he had met a “head of state” who was “very concerned about the conduct of NATO”.
DailyExpertNews’s Hada Messia and Radina Gigova contributed coverage.