Pope Commends Our Lady of “Penitential Pilgrimage” to Canada

Salvatore Cernuzio – Vatican City

In a well-established tradition before any international trip, this time, two days after leaving for Canada, Pope Francis visited the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to entrust the Virgin Mary with his 37th apostolic mission. The Pope prayed for a few moments alone, quietly, in a wheelchair, before the icon of Sallus Papuli Romani, the city’s patron saint. Reconciliation between the Church and Canadian indigenous peoples, victims of assimilation policies carried out by Catholic religious institutions in the past.

Note from the Vatican press office

“This morning, Friday, July 22, Pope Francis went to the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore to pray before the icon of the Virgin. Salus Populi Romani Trust her on her next trip to Canada. Eventually he returned to the Vatican,” the Vatican press office said.

A tradition from the beginning of the Church

Since the beginning of his pontificate in March 2013, before and after each trip abroad, Francis gathers in prayer for several minutes before the Marian icon housed in the Borghese church, which is so dear to the people of Rome. More than 60 visits to the Liberian Basilica. During his trip to Canada, the Pope traveled from Rome two days before departure (and not the day before) to Edmonton, where he will arrive on the evening of Sunday, July 24 (Italian time). Francesco will remain in the country until the 30th, except for Edmonton. Also the cities of Maskwacis, Québec and Iqaluit.

Spiritual support for his work

At the heart of the apostolic visit, as mentioned, is the desire to “embrace indigenous peoples”, as Francis said last Sunday, July 17 in Angeles, explaining this: “Unfortunately, many Christians in Canada, especially members of There is the contribution of institutions. Hence the unprecedented definition of the apostolic journey as a “pilgrimage to the erring” and the hope that the Canadian Catholic Church and the original peoples can “contribute to the path of reconciliation and healing already undertaken”. Therefore, the Pope, who is always in Angeles, is a real mission that asks the faithful to join in prayer. He A spiritual support asked by the Virgin Mary today.