PHOTOS: Pope Francis Arrives in Canada

Pope Francis arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday to begin his six-day visit.

Pope Francis is greeted by a representative of Canada’s Indigenous peoples upon his arrival in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 24, at the start of his six-day visit to Canada.
Pope Francis is greeted by a representative of Canada’s Indigenous peoples upon his arrival in Edmonton, Alberta, on July 24, at the start of his six-day visit to Canada. (photo: National Catholic Register / Vatican Media)

Pope Francis arrived in Edmonton, Alberta, on Sunday to begin his six-day visit to Canada.

During his cross-country journey, the 85-year-old Pope is expected to meet with and apologize to Indigenous Canadians for abuses committed at Church-run residential schools. The Pope’s itinerary includes stops in Edmonton, Quebec City, and Iqaluit, the capital of Nunavut. He returns to Rome on Saturday, July 30.

Following a flight from Rome that lasted more than 10 hours, the Pope was greeted at Edmonton International Airport by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other dignitaries.

Pope Francis greeted representatives of Canada ’s Indigenous peoples inside an airport hangar.

The Pope made no public remarks at the airport, but prior to his departure on Sunday, he tweeted the following message: “Dear brothers and sisters of #Canada, I come among you to meet the indigenous peoples. I hope, with God’s grace, that my penitential pilgrimage might contribute to the journey of reconciliation already undertaken. Please accompany me with #prayer.”

Pope Francis enters a hangar at Edmonton International Airport prior to meeting with representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples on July 24, 2022. Andrea Gagliarducci/CNA

Pope Francis enters a hangar at Edmonton International Airport prior to meeting with representatives of Canada’s Indigenous peoples on July 24. | Andrea Gagliarducci/CNA

Pope Francis prepares to meet representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples inside a hangar at Edmonton International Airport on July 24, 2022. At far left it Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Andrea Gagliarducci/CNA

Pope Francis prepares to meet representatives of Canada’s Indigenous peoples inside a hangar at Edmonton International Airport on July 24. At far left is Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. | Andrea Gagliarducci/CNA

Pope Francis prepares meets representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples in the hangar of the airport in Edmonton on July 24, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis meets representatives of Canada’s Indigenous peoples in the hangar of the airport in Edmonton on July 24. | National Catholic Register/Vatican Media

Pope Francis meets representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples in the hangar of the airport in Edmonton on July 24, 2022, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (center) and other look on. Vatican Media

Pope Francis meets representatives of Canada’s Indigenous peoples in the hangar of the airport in Edmonton on July 24, as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (center) and others look on. | National Catholic Register/Vatican Media

Pope Francis meets representatives of Canada's indigenous peoples in the hangar of the airport in Edmonton on July 24, 2022. Vatican Media

Pope Francis meets a representatives of Canada’s Indigenous peoples in the hangar of the airport in Edmonton on July 24. | National Catholic Register/Vatican Media