This refers to Pope Benedict’s journey to the USA (2008) where he finally confesses that he is deeply ashamed over the conduct of the priests regarding the sex scandal that has torn the church.

In history “Walk to Canossa” (German, Gang nach Canossa; Italian, l'umiliazione di Canossa) refers to both the trek itself of Henry IV of the Holy Roman Empire from Speyer to the fortress at Canossa and also to the events surrounding his journey in 1077.