Pope Francis is on a six-day tour of Canada aimed at reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in residential schools.
Here are the latest developments on his stops today in Alberta (all times are MST):
8:10 a.m.
Public health authorities in Quebec City are urging caution for when the papal visit shifts to the provincial capital on Wednesday, given a high COVID-19 transmission rate in the region.
In a statement today, health officials say even in outdoor settings, large gatherings can lead to transmission of the virus.
They say face masks are to be distributed to those boarding shuttle buses for a mass with Pope Francis to be held in Ste-Anne-de-Beaupré on Thursday.
Dr. Jacques Girard, an assistant to the director of public health in Quebec City, says participants in the papal visit should act responsibly and not attend if they have COVID-19 symptoms.
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8:00 a.m.
People are lining up to get into Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium, where Pope Francis is to give a public mass later this morning.
The Pope is scheduled to arrive just after 9.a.m., and is to first tour the area in the popemobile.
Later in the day, he plans to to travel to Lac Ste. Anne, northwest of Edmonton, to take part in the community’s annual pilgrimage.
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This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 26, 2022.
The Canadian Press
