Canada: the pope presents his "apologies" for the tragedy of residential schools for natives
Audio 01:36
Pope Francis received delegations from Canadian indigenous peoples at the Vatican.
He apologized to them following the dramas in Canadian residential schools.
© AFP PHOTO / VATICAN MEDIA
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Pope Francis asks forgiveness from the Indigenous peoples of Canada.
Having come to the Vatican this week for private meetings with the sovereign pontiff, Inuit, Métis and First Nations delegations were received in audience at midday by the Bishop of Rome.
The opportunity for him to look into their painful past, especially in Catholic boarding schools.
Advertising
Read more
With our correspondent in Rome,
Éric
Sénanque
Dances, drums, violins and above all a lot of emotion ran through this public audience from Pope Francis to the indigenous peoples of Canada, who came to begin a path of reconciliation with the Catholic Church, embodied by its highest leader.
After listening to them this week, Francis confided in front of them that he was "
deeply saddened by the stories of suffering, hardship, discrimination and various forms of abuse
" that some members of these peoples suffered, especially in boarding schools. maintained by the Canadian Catholic Church.
An apology and a planned trip to Canada
“
I am ashamed, I am in pain and I am ashamed of the role that several Catholics, especially with educational responsibilities, have played in all that has hurt you.
For the deplorable conduct of these members of the Catholic Church, I ask God's forgiveness and I would like to tell you from the bottom of my heart: I experience a lot of pain
,” Pope Francis said.
“
I would like to tell you that the Church is on your side and wants to continue to walk with you
” also explained the sovereign pontiff, hoping that these days spent in Rome could open up “
other avenues to explore together
”.
"
The Pope's words were historic and necessary
," declared Cassidy Caron, president of the Métis National Council, at the end of the meeting, "
we are now waiting for him in Canada where he can renew his apologies to survivors and families
. " .
A desire shared by the Argentine pope who confirmed that he would go to Canadian soil, it will probably be at the end of July.
“
Pope Francis has apologized for the Church's role in the abuses that took place at residential schools.
This is an important step
," said the Canadian Prime Minister, adding "
we can't wait for him to come to Canada to apologize in person
."
►Also read: Analysis - Residential schools in Canada: a belated realization
Newsletter
Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox
I subscribe
Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application
google-play-badge_EN
Canada
christianity
Pope Francis