Pope Francis arrives in Canada, first public events to start Monday

Pope Francis arrives in Edmonton, Canada, to mark the start of his 37th Apostolic Journey abroad, what he has called a “penitential pilgrimage” to the nation as a way to contribute to the process of "healing and reconciliation with the country’s indigenous peoples.”

By Vatican News staff writer

The papal plane landed at 11:09 am local time at Edmonton International Airport after a more than ten hour flight from Rome where he left in the morning local time.

The arrival of the Pope with the journalists on board with him was followed with a brief welcome by civil and religious authorities.

Those greeting Pope Francis included Governor General Mary Simon, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and Lieutenant Governor of Alberta, Salma Lakhani.

The Pope then traveled to St. Joseph Seminary to rest after the long flight for the rest of the day there. His first public encounters begin on Monday morning.