Pope Francis left on Sunday for a six-day visit to Canada. The main purpose of the 37th foreign trip is to meet with representatives of indigenous communities as part of the reconciliation process.
Silvija Krivteža – Vatican
on July 24 at 11.14 local time or at 19.14 Rome time Italian airlines ITA Airways an airplane A330 landed at Edmonton International Airport. The flight lasted more than ten hours. Crossing the airspace of Italy, Switzerland, France, Great Britain, Iceland and Canada, the Pope sent congratulatory telegrams to the leaders of these countries. During the flight, he greeted journalists of various nationalities. Answering the question about the possible visit to Ukraine, Francis expressed hope that it will be implemented.
The Pope is accompanied on the trip by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, his deputy Archbishop Edgar Peña Parra, Secretary for Relations with States Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Prefect of the Dicastery of Bishops Cardinal Mark Ouellette and Prefect of the Dicastery of Integral Human Development Cardinal Michael Cerny.
At the airport of the capital of the province of Alberta, Francis was welcomed by Canada’s Governor General Mary Simon with her spouse, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Ivan Jurkovic and a group of children who presented flowers. Drums and songs were played in honor of the distinguished guest. Representatives of the First Nations congratulated the Pope, who instead of answering, kissed the hand of one of the former residential school students.
The Archdiocese of Edmonton was established on November 30, 1912. Almost two million inhabitants live in its territory, of which 477 thousand are Catholics. 134 priests and 40 permanent deacons perform pastoral work in 125 parishes. The Archdiocese of Edmonton is headed by 63-year-old Archbishop Richard William Smith. The Ukrainian Byzantine Apostolic Diocese of Edmonton was established on November 3, 1956, headed by 60-year-old Bishop David Motyuk.
A welcome ceremony was held at the airport in the capital of the province of Alberta. After the playing of the anthems of the two countries and the presentation of the delegations, the Pope, accompanied by the Governor General and the Prime Minister, arrived in one of the halls of the flight, where a short conversation took place. Later, Francis traveled in a closed car to St. Joseph’s Seminary in Edmonton, about 30 km from the airport. It is a complex built in 2010, which resembles an old monastery in style. 60 future priests live in the seminary. Various types of meetings are held there. The study hall is named after St. Jerome, the patron saint of Bible studies. After lunch, the Pope met with priests and seminary staff. He rested for the rest of the day.
In the early morning of Monday, July 25 (at 6.30 am), Francis celebrated Holy Mass in the chapel of the seminary. After breakfast, he will go by car to the 100 km distant city of Moskvaits, which is called “bear’s hill” in the local language. In the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows, the Holy Father will meet with representatives of First Nations, Métis and Inuit. Before that, the Pope, accompanied by the sound of tambourines, will visit the cemetery, where he will pray for the departed for a moment. In front of the church, the Vatican guests will be welcomed and addressed by the elder of the indigenous group. at At 4:30 p.m. local time, or 2:30 a.m. Latvian time, the Pope will visit the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, built in 1913, which is one of the oldest places of worship in the city. This temple houses works of indigenous art. In August 2020, the church burned down. After two years of restoration work, it opens its doors to visitors again. The Pope will consecrate the statue of Saint Catherine Tekakwith. She is the first Native American saint.
Catherine Tekakwit, also called “Lily of the Mohicans”, was born in the middle of the 16th century in the place where the city of Albany stands today. Smallpox took away her sight and disfigured her face. When Catherine converted to Christianity, she was ostracized from her own people. She died at the age of 24. At the moment of death, any marks left by smallpox miraculously disappeared from Catherine’s face.
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