CMEDIA/Toronto: Canada PM Mark Carney is reportedly scheduled to depart Canada Friday night for his first official trip to the Vatican to attend the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV on Sunday.
A devout Catholic, Carney was unable to attend Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26 as it was just two days before the federal election.
As the inaugural mass, marking the swearing-in for a new pope draws many international leaders, Carney is expected to have bilateral meetings with other international leaders to discuss deepening trade, commerce, and cultural ties.
It was confirmed by the Prime Minister’s Office that members of Parliament from the Liberal caucus, who are Catholics will be travelling with Carney
Among those who have confirmed their attendance are U.S. Vice-President JD Vance, French Prime Minister François Bayrou and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also hoping to attend.
Also accompanying the Canadian delegation would be Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and Métis National Council President Victoria Pruden.
The Vatican’s Anima Mundi Museum is being called by Pruden to return Métis cultural artifacts in its collection.
“We are asking the Vatican to work with Métis knowledge-keepers, historians and experts to identify which items in their collection belong to our people and to return them…an essential step in advancing reconciliation and repairing the deep harms caused by colonial policies, including the role the Church played in the residential school system.” Pruden said in a media statement.
After having previously been requested by the Indigenous leaders to return the artifacts, Pope Francis in 2023 promised to do so but it had not yet happened.
Leo, who is still new to the role, has not yet said whether he will honour that pledge.
Leo reaffirmed the Church’s efforts in an address to diplomats posted at the Vatican Friday morning, to “reach out to and embrace all individuals and all peoples on the Earth” through peace, justice and truth.
“I believe that religions and interreligious dialogue…naturally requires full respect for religious freedom in every country…to bring about the purification of the heart necessary for building peaceful relationships.”
