In Defiance of His Critics, Pope Francis Expected to Be In Canada July 24-30

In defiance of his many critics, who object to what he does, or fails to do, Pope Francis is scheduled to visit Canada July 24-30, 2022, some concerned for his health, but most because they want the Holy Father to resign: "Assuming Francis does go, it will mark his first outing since troubles with his right knee forced him to cancel a series of commitments, including a trip to South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo earlier this month," writes Crux's Inés San Martín, while Fox's By Landon Mion writes: "Media reports have suggested that a number of events in late August, including meetings with the world's cardinals to discuss a new Vatican constitution and a visit to the Italian city of L'Aquila, could signal a resignation in the near future."  And Reuters reported that "Pope Francis has dismissed reports that he plans to resign in the near future, saying he is on track to visit Canada this month and hopes to be able to go to Moscow and Kyiv as soon as possible after that. In an exclusive interview in his Vatican residence, Francis also denied rumors that he had cancer, joking that his doctors "didn't tell me anything about it", and for the first time gave details of the knee condition that has prevented him carrying out some duties

Pope Francis apologizes to Canada's Indigenous Peoples

Pope Francis visit to Canada is a result of invitations from civil and ecclesiastical authorities, as well as the indigenous communities. on Sunday during his Angelus, the Holy Father described his journey to Canada as a penitential pilgrimage, that will hopefully contribute to a process of healing and reconciliation with the country’s indigenous peoples. During the 24-30 July visit, the Pope is expected to make stops in Edmonton, Quebec, and the northern city of Iqaluit. According to a statement from the Holy See Press Office, two nights before Pope Francis's 37th Apostolic Journey abroad, he went as is his custom to the Roman Basilica of Saint Mary Major to entrust his visit to Our Lady.  Ahead of the visit to Canada,  Pope Francis, in recent weeks, has had a series of meetings with several delegations of Canadian indigenous peoples in the Vatican. The Pope met with the delegations of Métis and Inuit on 28 March and with the First Nations delegation on 31 March. He then received all three delegations together, along with representatives of the Canadian Bishops’ Conference (CCCB) on 1 April. Live coverages begins on Monday morning, 10:00AM local time, with a meeting with the country's indigenous populations in Maskwacis.

During The Pope's Angelus of 17 July, he announced that in each of these places, at the heart of the his visit, is the desire to "meet and embrace the indigenous peoples. Unfortunately, in Canada, many Christians, including some members of religious institutes, have contributed to the policies of cultural assimilation that, in the past, have severely harmed indigenous communities in various ways. For this reason, recently, at the Vatican, I received several groups, representatives of Indigenous peoples, to whom I manifested my sorrow and my solidarity for the evil they have suffered,” he said. “Now, I will make a penitential voyage that I hope, with the grace of God, can contribute to the path of healing and reconciliation already undertaken,”  

Pope Francis met  with Métis, Inuit and First Nations delegates the last week of March,  who shared stories of their residential school experiences and the effects that still ripple in their communities. Canadian governments and churches pursued a policy of “cultural genocide” against the country’s indigenous people according to seven years of hearings, and testimony from thousands of witnesses heard by the country’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Our own reporting shows that Faucci-like progressive policies, corrupt tribal leaders have failed Native Americans and Alaska Natives:  Disregarding the culture and traditions of Aboriginal peoples, children were uprooted from their families to be educated in the West in residential schools appointed and managed by the Canadian government until the end of the nineteenth century 1996, from the Catholic, Anglican and Protestant churches. About 6,000 children have gone missing and their bodies are said to have been found in mass graves. Many of them may have died as a result of abuse and disproportionate punishment.

While the Pope's apology received plenty of ink, in general, it missed the rest of Pope Francis’ message as reported by the Vatican News:  “In his speech, the Pope touched on a number of topics which ranged from the elderly and future generations, to the care of the land, as well as culture and tradition. He also turned his attention to those good and decent believers who, in the name of the faith, and with respect, love and kindness, have enriched your history with the Gospel. …. I think with joy, for example, of the great veneration that many of you have for Saint Anne, the grandmother of Jesus.”

Father Antonio Hofmeister, archbishop of Porto Alegre, Brazil, who for some years had pastoral work in Canada, in an interview with Vatican Radio – Vatican News spoke about the implications of  Pope’s visit to Canada: "Of course, I think it’s important that all institutions that have been a part of these painful realities of residential schools follow this same path. Reconciliation goes through the recognition of truth, which is the first step. But then it is necessary to apologize and find ways to achieve this reconciliation together. Indigenous peoples’ dialogue with the church, but with Canada’s civil institutions, with society, with everyone.  According to Father Hofmeister the main obstacle might be the Canadian government led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has publicly demanded a papal apology. “I’m biased, because I am a priest, but I see that the church is truly working towards reconciliation, while the government isn’t,” he said. “The government’s agenda on many issues, including family and life, is hostile to the church’s.”

Meanwhile Alberta residents are bracing for major disruptions as a result of Pope Francis; visit:  CBC reports: Access to Alberta highways will be restricted during Pope Francis's tour of the province next week and drivers can expect delays as the papal motorcade hits the road. Rolling closures are scheduled for highways across the province between July 24 and July 27 as the pontiff travels through Edmonton, Maskwacis and Lac Ste. Anne. Sections of the Queen Elizabeth II, 2A, 16, 43, 611 and 633 highways will close during his various tour stops. Motorists can expect delays and are being encouraged to consider alternate routes, the province said in a traffic advisory. Within Edmonton, multiple road closures are also expected.