Pope in Canada on tour of ‘penance’ for Indigenous abuse
Pope Francis has landed in Canada to kick off a week-long trip that will centre around his apology on behalf of the Roman Catholic Church for the abuse that Indigenous children endured at mostly church-run residential schools.
“This is a trip of penance. Let’s say that is its spirit,” the pope told reporters after his flight took off from Rome on Sunday.
The papal plane touched down in Edmonton on Sunday in the western province of Alberta, where he will visit a former residential school and meet with Indigenous people.
The pope is also visiting Quebec City and Iqaluit, the capital of the territory of Nunavut. He will depart on Friday.
Between 1881 and 1996, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were separated from their families and brought to residential schools. Many children were starved, beaten and sexually abused in a system that Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission called “cultural genocide”.
The papal plane taxied with Canadian and Vatican flags flapping outside the cockpit windows. After disembarking with the help of a lift, the pope boarded a white Fiat 500X, which dropped him at the hangar. He then proceeded by wheelchair.
Governor General Mary Simon, who represents Canada’s head of state, Queen Elizabeth, was the first to greet the pope. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau followed.
