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The pope said that his visit to Canada was "a different journey” from the other international trips of his pontificate.
Pope Francis returned to Rome on Saturday after a week-long trip to Canada. During the July 24 to 30 trip, the pope visited Edmonton, Québec, and Iqaluit on what he called a “penitential pilgrimage” to apologize to the country’s indigenous communities.
The 85-year-old pontiff gifted a statue of St. Joseph and the Child Jesus to the archbishop’s residence in Québec City.
Some of those indigenous people assembled to listen to the pope had met with him at the Vatican in March.
The pope's next, and final stop, in Canada is Iqaluit, in the country's northernmost territory.
The pope spoke Thursday evening at the Cathedral Basilica of Notre-Dame de Québec to those engaged in pastoral ministry.
Pope Francis asked for forgiveness for the harm done to indigenous Canadians by Catholics in a Wednesday address before top government officials and representatives of the indigenous peoples in Canada.
Developing a theme he introduced earlier in his "penitential pilgrimage," the pope reflected on the importance of presenting the faith to others in a loving way, rather than with proselytism.
In a speech in rural Canada before a crowd of indigenous Canadian people, Pope Francis publicly apologized for the Catholic Church’s role in running much of Canada’s government-sponsored residential school system.
Upon his arrival in Edmonton, the pope was greeted by representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples.
During his six-day trip, he’s expected to meet with and apologize to indigenous Canadians for abuses committed at Church-run residential schools.
Pope Francis visited a Roman basilica on Friday to ask for the Virgin Mary's intercession and protection ahead of his week-long trip to Canada.
Pope Francis will travel to the Canadian cities of Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit from July 24-29.
After visiting a community of Jesuits in Rome this weekend, Pope Francis joked about his upcoming trip to Canada, from July 24-30.
The Vatican has released the itinerary for Pope Francis’ visit to Canada, during which he will meet with representatives of indigenous peoples, and with indigenous Catholics.