Pope Francis could stop in the Old Capital at the end of July as part of his reconciliation with Canadian indigenous communities.
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Sources contacted by CBC News said the pontiff may also stop in Edmonton and Iqaluit during a trip lasting approximately four days.
He had already announced his intentions to visit the country after meeting with indigenous delegates at the Vatican on 1is last April. There he issued a formal apology on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church for the actions of its members in Canada’s residential schools.
Remember that hundreds of bodies of children have been found near these in the past year, particularly in Kamloops, British Columbia.
CBC News indicates, however, that the route and schedule of Pope Francis’ trip have not yet been officially confirmed by the Church.
In time for Sainte-Anne?
“The announcement of his visit is very great and good news on this Good Friday! If he confirms that he is coming to Quebec, we will welcome him with open arms,” said Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, of the Diocese of Quebec.
Jeremy Bernier
Cardinal Gérald Cyprien Lacroix, of the Diocese of Quebec
In an interview with the Journal, the Archbishop underlined that the speculations on the dates of his coming seem to coincide with the feast of Saint Anne, July 26, and the novena which precedes it.
Every year, believers from all over Quebec gather at the Basilica of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, northeast of Quebec for the occasion.
It is also a holiday that remains very popular among members of the First Nations who have kept the faith. It would therefore not be surprising if the pontiff went there to address his faithful.
“It is obvious that there will be a strong emphasis on the healing process with the First Nations, […] but his presence arouses a lot of interest from his faithful everywhere in the country”, affirms Cardinal Lacroix, specifying that the authorities of the Church in Canada have been preparing for this for several months.
A first in 37 years
The Pope’s first – and last – visit to Quebec dates back to John Paul II on September 9, 1984. More than 300,000 ecstatic faithful had gathered for an open-air mass near Laval University.
He then went to Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Cap-de-la-Madeleine, Jarry Park and the Olympic Stadium in Montreal, before leaving for the Maritimes on September 12.
If the trip of the current Holy Father were to prove, the latter risks however being much more sober than that of his predecessor. It should be noted that Pope Francis has significant health limitations that make his travels difficult.
« [Le pape] will hopefully issue a somewhat stronger apology…that goes a step further and acknowledges the role of the Catholic Church in residential schools. Not just individuals,” Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron told CBC News.