Pope Francis to stop at former residential school on day 2 of Canada visit

Pope Francis is in south Edmonton today for day two of his trip to Canada where he is expected to speak publicly for the first time with First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.

Francis will visit Maskwacis, Alta., and visit the former site of the Ermineskin Indian Residential School. He is set to speak in the afternoon with Indigenous Peoples and parish members at the Church of Sacred Heart in Edmonton.

The Pontiff is expected to apologize to Indigenous residential school survivors and their families for the role the Roman Catholic Church played in the schools.

Francis arrived on Sunday and his trip to Canada will last for six days. He was greeted at Edmonton airport by dignitaries including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Gov. Gen. Mary Simon and Indigenous leaders.

Later in the week, the Pontiff is expected to host an outdoor mass at the Edmonton’s football stadium, as well as take part in a pilgrimage in Lac Ste. Anne, before travelling to Quebec City and Iqaluit.

Around 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools in Canada and endure physical and sexual abuse.

Last year, Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nation’s announced it had identified as many as 215 potential unmarked graves at the former Kamloops Indian Residential School. Since then, several unmarked graves have been discovered at many residential schools across Canada.