“I would like once more to ask forgiveness of all the victims,” the pope said in a homily at Quebec’s Notre Dame Cathedral. “The pain and the shame we feel must become an occasion for conversion: Never again!”
Canada
Posted inExplainer, Politics & Society
Explainer: Could Pope Francis revoke the 15th-century ‘Doctrine of Discovery’ used to justify colonizing Indigenous peoples?
Papal bulls written in the 15th century granted Catholic kings permission to colonize non-Christian lands and enslave Indigenous Peoples. Will Pope Francis formally rescind those decrees during his Canada pilgrimage?
Posted inNews, Politics & Society
Pope Francis tells Canadian leaders to work for a multicultural country
In a British-built fort on the highest hill in Quebec City, Pope Francis spoke to Canadian government and cultural leaders about the never-ending challenge of multiculturalism.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
The most profound images and words of Pope Francis’ Canada trip (so far)
The image of Pope Francis, all alone on the side of the lake, imploring God for healing, will surely remain as an iconic image of this penitential pilgrimage.
Posted inFaith, News
‘I’ve waited 50 years for this’: Indigenous leaders react to Pope Francis’ apology
“It was an achievement on the part of the Indigenous community to convince Pope Francis to come to a First Nation community and humble himself before survivors in the way he did,” Phil Fontaine said.
Posted inFaith, News
At Mass in Canada, Pope Francis urges people to honor elderly on feast of Jesus’ grandparents
Celebrating the feast day of Jesus’ grandparents, Pope Francis not only urged people to honor their elders, but he asked them to think about what they will hand on to future generations.
Posted inFaith, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis condemns forced assimilation of Canada’s residential schools as ‘incompatible with the Gospel’
Pope Francis condemned Canada’s residential school system as “a deplorable evil” and asked forgiveness of the Indigenous Peoples for Christians participation in it.
Posted inFaith, News Analysis
Analysis: Pope Francis apologized to the Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Was it enough?
“They want to hear the Holy Father say it was the Catholic Church that was ultimately responsible for what descended on the peoples of our country, the first peoples.”
Posted inFaith, Speeches
Full text: Pope Francis’ apology to Indigenous Peoples in Canada
“To remember the devastating experiences that took place in the residential schools hurts, angers, causes pain, and yet it is necessary.”
Posted inPolitics & Society, Vatican Dispatch
Pope Francis arrives in Canada: Updates from day one
Pope Francis landed in Edmonton and met briefly at the airport with Indigenous leaders, Canada’s governor general and prime minister.