Pope Francis recites the midday Angelus prayer from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter’s Square, in the Vatican, Sunday, July 3, 2022. Photo by Andrew Medichini/THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
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Sections of several highways in the Edmonton area will be closed next week as part of a series of road closures during Pope Francis’ visit to the Edmonton area.
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The Pope will be in the Edmonton area from Sunday morning to early Wednesday, including a trip south to Maskwacis and northwest to Lac Ste. Anna. “Travelers should be aware of these temporary road restrictions and plan their itineraries accordingly to avoid delays,” said Shane Schreiber, deputy deputy minister in the Alberta government, during a technical briefing with reporters last week. The rolling closures will be in place before and after the Pope’s motorcade passes through. Drivers are asked to expect delays, plan alternate routes and check 511 for closure updates. On Tuesday, the province released specific details about the closures, but notes they are subject to change.
Sunday – July 24
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The Pope is scheduled to arrive in Edmonton at 11:20 am. The northbound QEII between Edmonton International Airport and the City of Edmonton will be closed until the motorcade passes.
Monday – July 25
Pope Francis is scheduled to depart early in the morning, arriving in Maskwacis around 10am. The QEII will again be closed as the Pope travels to the site in the morning and returns to Edmonton in the early afternoon to visit Sacred Heart Church downtown. The province says to expect “closures, significant delays and limited access” of Highway 2A, northbound and southbound, between Wetaskiwin, Maskwacis and Ponoka as well as along Highway 611 throughout the day. Shuel-let-qua Q:olosoet (Cynthia Jim) sings behind care packages collected at the kihêw waciston Indigenous Center at MacEwan University in Edmonton Tuesday, July 19, 2022. The care packages will be given to Indigenous visitors to the campus during a visit of the Pope. Photo by David Bloom/Postmedia
Tuesday – July 26
After an outdoor mass at Commonwealth Stadium in the morning, the Pope will travel to Lac Ste. Anne late afternoon, causing the closure of portions of westbound 16 Freeway, northbound 43 Freeway and westbound 633 Freeway.
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Sections of the same freeways will be closed again in opposite directions later that afternoon. The province notes that highways 16 and 633 will be closed and limited access can be expected on all roads and municipal roads west of Highway 43 and east of Highway 765, south of Lac Ste. Anna. Highway 633 between Highways 757 and 43 will be closed except for buses and local traffic.
Wednesday – July 27
Pope Francis is scheduled to depart Edmonton for Quebec City at 9 a.m. The southbound lanes of the QEII between Edmonton and the airport will see rolling closures. Information will also be posted on message boards along Alberta’s highways. Pope Francis is expected to apologize for the Catholic Church’s role in residential school systems during his trip to Canada, which starts in Edmonton and ends in Iqaluit, Nunavut on July 29.
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Those attending any of the public events in Alberta during the papal visit are reminded that parking will be limited or unavailable at all sites and that parking and pre-booking a bus are the best transportation options. The contents of care packages collected at the kihêw waciston Indigenous Center at MacEwan University, Edmonton Tuesday, July 19, 2022. Care packages will be given to Indigenous visitors to the campus during the Pope’s visit. The packs include a smudge kit, native tea, a scarf used for active wrapping and an information card detailing how people can go for counseling and mental health services they may need in relation to the visit. Photo by David Bloom/Postmedia Meanwhile, preparations in Edmonton continue to ramp up. MacEwan University is providing a community gathering space on July 25 and 26 with healing activities, refreshments and sharing circles. On Tuesday, volunteers gathered to prepare care packages to welcome these visitors. And, a $441,000 renovation of the Dove of Peace monument to John Paul II’s 1984 papal visit appears to be nearly complete. The city said the money is in addition to the $1 million in expenses it covers during the papal visit. [email protected] twitter.com/bymatthewblack
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