Pope Francis on his way to Québec City

By Benedict Mayaki, SJ

Pope Francis is set to arrive in Quebec city on Wednesday, the third full day of his ongoing 5 -day “Penitential Pilgrimage” to Canada. 

Earlier on Wednesday morning, the Holy Father bade farewell to the staff of St. Joseph Seminary in Edmonton where he had been staying in the first days of his Apostolic Journey. He then headed to the Edmonton International Airport where his flight to Quebec leaves at 9:00 am local time.

The Pope will be in the Quebec City area until Friday before making the final stretch of his Apostolic visit to Iqaluit.

Preview of activities

Pope Francis is scheduled to arrive at the Jean Lesage International Airport in Quebec around 15:05 local time, after a just-over 4-hour flight from Edmonton.

From the airport, he will travel to the Citadelle of Quebec where he will meet with Governor General Mary May Simon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as well as Indigenous leaders and other civil authorities.

On Thursday, the Pope will celebrate Mass at the National Shrine of Saint Anne de Beaupré, located on the shores of the St. Lawrence River, about 30 kilometers from Québec city. Later that day, he will preside at Vespers with the Bishops, clergy, consecrated persons, seminarians and pastoral workers at the Notre Dame de Quebec Cathedrale.

The Pope's activities on Friday will see him meet with members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) and a delegation representing the Indigenous people from Quebec at the residence of the Archbishop of Quebec before flying to Iqaluit.

He will then start his tour of Iqaluit with a meeting with residential school survivors and a meeting with the youths and elderly outside an elementary school.

The Pope is billed to fly back to Rome later on Friday evening.