Canada: Pope Francis to visit Alberta and Quebec provinces and Nunavut Territory July 24-29; protests likely nationwide

Event

Pope Francis will be conducting an official papal visit to Alberta, Quebec, and Nunavut, from July 24-29 to address the Roman Catholic Church's historical legacy in residential schools for Indigenous people. Pope Francis will attend a number of events, including the following:

• Edmonton, Alberta: Brief ceremony at Edmonton International Airport (YEG) late July 24.

• Maskwacis, Alberta: Visit to the site of Ermineskin Residential School with former students early July 25.

• Edmonton, Alberta: Invitation-only visit to Sacred Heart Church of the First Peoples late July 25.

• Edmonton, Alberta: Open-air Mass at Commonwealth Stadium early July 26.

• Lac Sainte Anne, Alberta: Celebration of the pilgrimage of the Feast of Sainte Anne and prayer service late July 26.

• Quebec City, Quebec: Visit to the Citadel (La Citadelle) for private meetings with Canadian Governor-General Mary Simon and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau followed by a public address early July 27.

• Quebec City, Quebec: Ongoing Indigenous events and public broadcasts of papal visit at the Plains of Abraham (Plaines d'Abraham) July 27-28.

• Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupre, Quebec: Public mass at the Basilica shrine early July 28.

• Quebec City, Quebec: Meeting with Canadian Catholic and Indigenous leaders at Notre Dame de Quebec Basilica-Cathedral late July 28.

• Quebec City, Quebec: Meeting with Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and Indigenous leaders early July 29.

• Iqaluit, Nunavut: Meeting with residential school survivors at Nakasuk Primary School July 29, followed by an Inuit community event. Following this event, Pope Francis will return to the Vatican City.

Public events will almost certainly be heavily attended, with tens of thousands expected to celebrate public masses. Other events will likely have hundreds to thousands attending, depending on the size and accessibility of the venue. Security will almost certainly be heightened, and transit disruptions are likely near venues of visits. Protests are likely near the sites of papal visits and across Canada, especially at government buildings, Catholic churches, and historically significant sites. Clashes between protesters, security, and those attending papal visit events are possible.

Context

The "Indian Residential School" program was first formed in the 19th Century and lasted until 1977; the government of Canada often required Indigenous families to send their children to these schools. These schools were often administered by churches, including the Roman Catholic Church. Reports have emerged of alleged abuse and neglect of children. The discovery of unmarked graves near the site of several of these schools provoked widespread controversy in Canada and criticism of the Roman Catholic Church; activists burned several dozen churches in response across Canada in mid-2021. Pope Francis' visit is part of an official response by the Roman Catholic Church to its role in the Residential School system for Indigenous Canadians.

Advice

Plan for transit disruptions near the site of papal events. Avoid demonstrations as a precaution. If clashes occur, take shelter in a non-government building. Comply with directives of authorities.