“We want to talk together, to pray together and to work together, so that the sufferings of the past can lead to a future of justice, healing and reconciliation.”
– Pope Francis, on the Catholic church and Indigenous peoples of Canada
Nine days of mourning will commence Saturday, April 26, following Pope Francis’ funeral earlier morning.
Pope Francis, 88, died following a stroke that led to a coma and irreversible heart failure, the Vatican has stated.
Pope Francis, the first pope from Latin America, led the 1.4 billion-member Catholic church since 2013. Francis was known as a progressive force inside the church, and a champion for the less fortunate in society.
In the spring of 2022, Assembly of First Nations NWT Regional Chief Gerald Antoine led a delegation, which included survivors of residential institutions, to the Vatican.
Dene National Chief Gerald Antoine in Rome in 2022. (Photo courtesy of Assembly of First Nations)
In an interview from Rome at the time, he told CKLB the Pope’s acknowledgment of genocide and the apology was significant and an historic step to fulfilling the requests of the former residential school students.
“He really listened and heard those voices of our people, and that is the most important thing, and that he felt, really deeply, full of shame — not only that, he really also felt our pain,” stated Antoine.
“He also heard the relationship that we have with the land, the relationship we have with ourselves as a family … and the theme was about children — this is what the voices of our people were always advocating is for the children that were forcibly taken away from their home, from their family, from their Elders and from their nation and their land.
“So, having him being very present, and also welcoming, that really helped the delegation, so they could be truthfully sharing the message of the former Indian residential school students.”
Antoine was optimistic as he was about to leave Rome that the Pope would offer an apology “to all our nation of families” when he was to visit Canada later this year.
During that visit to Canada in July 2022, Francis delivered a landmark apology for the Catholic Church’s role in residential schools and other institutions several times as he toured the country.
In his various public and private addresses, the Pope expressed sorrow for the devastating effects of the residential school system on Indigenous communities.
He also called on the Bishops of Canada to approach reconciliation through concrete actions and shared projects.
Dene National Chief George Mackenzie, who also serves as the Assembly of First Nations Truth and Reconciliation portfolio holder, today expressed deep respect and condolences on the passing of Pope Francis.
Mackenzie called Francis a pivotal figure in the journey towards reconciliation and healing between the Catholic Church and Indigenous peoples in Canada.
“Pope Francis’ efforts to engage in meaningful dialogue with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities were important markers for the path towards healing and reconciliation,” stated Chief Mackenzie in a release.
“Although significant progress has been made, there remain urgent and pressing matters that need to be addressed. It is essential that the momentum towards reconciliation and healing continues, ensuring that the voices of Indigenous communities are heard and respected.”
