Prime Minister Mark Carney to Attend Inaugural Mass for Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican

Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to leave Canada on Friday night for his first official trip to the Vatican, where he will be attending the inaugural mass for Pope Leo XIV on Sunday. Carney, a devout Catholic, had missed Pope Francis’s funeral on April 26 due to the federal election taking place just two days later.

The inaugural mass, which marks the swearing-in of a new pope, is expected to draw numerous international leaders. Carney is anticipated to engage in bilateral meetings with several of them during his visit to the Vatican.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has confirmed that members of Parliament from the Liberal caucus, who are practicing Catholics or represent large Catholic constituencies, will be accompanying the prime minister on this trip.

Among the international leaders attending the event 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 be in attendance.

Additionally, Assembly of First Nations National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak and Métis National Council President Victoria Pruden will be part of the Canadian delegation. Pruden is advocating for the return of Métis cultural artifacts held in the Vatican’s Anima Mundi Museum.

\”We are requesting the Vatican to collaborate with Métis knowledge-keepers, historians, and experts to identify and return the items in their collection that belong to our people,\” Pruden stated in a media release.

Indigenous leaders had previously urged Pope Francis to return the artifacts, with a promise made in 2023 that has yet to be fulfilled. It remains to be seen if Pope Leo will uphold this pledge.

In a diplomatic address at the Vatican on Friday morning, Pope Leo emphasized the Church’s commitment to embracing all individuals and peoples through peace, justice, and truth. He highlighted the importance of religious freedom in fostering peaceful relationships.

Members of the Canadian delegation also include MPs Jaime Battiste, Arielle Kayabaga, and Jean-Yves Duclos, as well as senators Toni Varone and Tony Loffreda. Pierre Goudreault and Jean Vézina from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops are also part of the delegation.

With contributions from CBC’s Olivia Stefanovich, The Canadian Press’s Alessia Passafiume, and The Associated Press, the trip to the Vatican holds significance for Prime Minister Carney and the Canadian delegation.