By Canadian Press

As Pope Francis prepares to come to Canada, a look at past papal visits

Apr 1, 2022 | 12:59 PM

OTTAWA — Standing before a room of nearly 200 Indigenous delegates at the Vatican, Pope Francis apologized Friday for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in residential schools.

The Pope said he felt shame and sorrow that Catholics caused such profound harm, adding he will come to Canada, possibly in the summer. It would make him the second pontiff to do so.

Here’s a look at past papal visits:

1984 — Pope John Paul II becomes the first pontiff to visit Canada. He spent 12 days touring the country, touching down in Quebec City and travelling through most of the provinces and on to Yellowknife. He was greeted by massive crowds and, according to Canadian bishops, delivered more than 30 addresses, including to faithful who flocked to Montreal’s Olympic Stadium. 

1987 — Three years later John Paul II returned to travel to Fort Simpson, N.W.T., a village he was supposed to visit on his first trip, but was unable to because of bad weather. He had been in the United States and made the trek to Canada’s Far North for one day.  He delivered an address to his “Aboriginal brothers and sisters,” and met with national Indigenous leaders. He also expressed support for their rights to self-government. 

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2002 — The pontiff made his final trip to Canada to attend World Youth Day in Toronto. John Paul II spent six days in and around Ontario’s capital that July. Canadian bishops say more than 80,000 people came to a mass he delivered at Downsview Park.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 1, 2022.

Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press