Pope Francis arrives in Canada

Pope Francis has arrived in Edmonton to start his six-day visit in Canada.

The Pope has said he hopes the “penitential” trip will contribute to reconciliation efforts with Indigenous Peoples.

Francis was greeted at the Edmonton airport by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Governor General Mary Simon, as well as other church, Indigenous and political dignitaries.

The 85-year-old, who is to use a wheelchair throughout the tour, is also scheduled to travel to Quebec City and Iqaluit.

While in Alberta, the Pope is scheduled to visit the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School in the community of Maswacis, where he is expected to make an apology for abuse suffered by Indigenous people at residential schools.

Three busloads of people from the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina are in Edmonton this weekend for a chance to see the pope.

Lisa Polk, director of pastoral services for the Regina archdiocese, said on Friday they expected about 165 people to make the trip on Sunday to Edmonton, with most travelling by bus together and some taking their own vehicles.

The delegation is mostly made up of residential school survivors, each of whom is accompanied by a support person.

-With files from The Canadian Press