Pope to Visit Lac Ste. Anne Pilgrimage

In a letter sent to business in the Lac Ste Anne area state to prepare to see 250,000 - 500,000 people in the area between July 26 - 29th 2022, it was announced the Pope would come to visit the pilgrimage.

Alberta Beach Mayor Angela Duncan and the CAO have had initial meetings with the RCMP to discuss the impacts on the community. Further information is not yet known.

Alberta Beach anticipates that the village will be highly impacted during this week, working on developing a plan of action on how to accommodate this impact in the community.

The Pope, 85, will visit Alberta’s capital along with Quebec City and Iqaluit from July 24 to July 29 and will also visit a former residential school as part of his commitment to Indigenous healing and reconciliation, organizers say.

“I thank the survivors of residential schools who tirelessly advocated for Pope Francis’ visit to the lands now known as Canada,” said Treaty 6 Grand Chief George Arcand Junior. “I also want to acknowledge Chief Wilton Littlechild’s leadership — his unwavering commitment has been pivotal in seeking an official apology from Pope Francis and the Catholic Church.”

“There are numerous residential school sites across the country that have been identified for the Pope’s week-long visit. I recognize the impact the Pope’s visit will have in Treaty 6, to the survivors, their families and communities.

“My prayers are with the survivors. It is my hope we are on a path to healing and that survivors’ truths are validated with this historic visit to our Territories.”