Pope Francis could stop in the Old Capital at the end of July as part of his reconciliation with Canadian indigenous communities.
• Read also: Pope calls for ‘Easter truce’ to ‘achieve peace’
• Read also: Apologies from the Pope to the Aboriginals: “a step forward”, judge Trudeau
Sources contacted by CBC News said the pontiff could 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 April 1. 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 reports, however, that the route and schedule of Pope Francis’ trip have yet to be officially confirmed by the Church.
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 Saint-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 humble than that of his predecessor. It should be noted that Pope Francis has significant health limitations that make his travels difficult.
More information to come…