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 and entrust her on his next trip to Canada, which he himself defines as a “penitential pilgrimage”.  This was reported by the Holy See Press Office.

“Penitential Pilgrimage”

On July 17, after praying the Angelus, Francis addressed the inhabitants of the North American country:

Next Sunday, God willing, I will leave for Canada; therefore I would now like to address all the inhabitants of that country. Dear brothers and sisters of Canada, as you know, I will come among you especially in the name of Jesus to meet and embrace the indigenous peoples. Unfortunately, in Canada, many Christians, including some members of religious institutes, have contributed to the policies of cultural assimilation that, in the past, have severely harmed native communities in various ways. For this reason, I recently received some groups in the Vatican, representatives of indigenous peoples, to whom I expressed my sorrow and solidarity for the harm they have suffered. And now I am about to embark on a penitential pilgrimage, which I hope, with God’s grace, will contribute to the journey of healing and reconciliation already undertaken. I thank you in advance for all the work of preparation and for the welcome you will give me. Thank you all! And I ask you to please accompany me in prayer.