Pope Francis arrived in Canada this Sunday for a “penitential pilgrimage” during which he should renew his apologies for the Church’s role in the tragedy of boarding schools for indigenous people, a gesture that has been expected for years in the country.
The 85-year-old pontiff landed late this morning in Edmonton, western Canada, for the first of three legs of his journey. He will also travel to Quebec and Iqaluit, a city in Canada’s far north in the Arctic archipelago, before leaving on Friday.
He was welcomed by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Inuk Mary Simon, Queen Elizabeth II’s representative to the country, as well as indigenous leaders at an airport ceremony that began with the sounds of drums and Native American songs. .
“Contribute to the path of reconciliation”
During this quick welcoming ceremony, without speeches, François exchanged a few words with native representatives and received welcome gifts.
“I come among you to meet the indigenous peoples. I hope that, with the grace of God, my penitential pilgrimage can contribute to the path of reconciliation already undertaken. Please join me in prayer,” she also wrote on Twitter.
On the plane, he once again insisted before journalists on the penitential aspect of his trip, especially dedicated to the indigenous, ancestral Amerindian peoples who today represent 5% of the population of Canada.
“There is much to do”
The latter were subjected for decades to a policy of forced assimilation, in particular through a system of boarding schools for boys, subsidized by the State but administered for the most part by the Catholic Church.
Between the late 19th century and the 1990s, some 150,000 indigenous children were forcibly enrolled in more than 130 of these institutions. They were isolated from their families, their language and their culture, and were often victims of violence. Up to 6,000 children lost their lives there.
“This historic journey is an important part of the healing journey,” but “much remains to be done,” George Arcand Jr, Grand Chief of the Confederation of Treaty 6 First Nations, said Thursday.
After a day of rest on Sunday, François will meet for the first time with members of indigenous peoples this Monday morning in Maskwacis, about a hundred kilometers south of Edmonton, where up to 15,000 people are expected.
Source: BFM TV
