Indigenous leaders gathered in Rome for the funeral of Pope Francis are expressing hope that the Vatican will continue the reconciliation efforts he championed during his time as pope. Governor General Mary Simon, who led the Canadian delegation at the funeral, emphasized the importance of the pope’s apology for the abuses in the residential school system, calling it a vital step in addressing historical wrongs.
Simon reflected on the significance of Francis’s visit to Canada in 2022, where he reached out to Indigenous Peoples. She described the apology as a "significant milestone" in the ongoing journey of reconciliation. Alongside her, Wilton Littlechild, a residential school survivor and former commissioner for the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, echoed her sentiments, stressing the need to elevate the work on reconciliation.
Both leaders were among the dignitaries who bid farewell to Pope Francis, remembering his efforts to connect with marginalized communities, including migrants and the poor. Simon expressed her hopes that the new pope would continue the work started by Francis. She highlighted the importance of the pope’s apology, which took place on Indigenous lands in Canada, as a pivotal moment in the reconciliation process.
Littlechild shared his desire for the new pope to build upon Francis’s legacy, rather than starting from scratch. He emphasized the need for continued efforts towards healing and collaboration.
The papal visit in July 2022 was marked by Francis’s heartfelt apologies to Indigenous survivors of residential schools. He expressed shame for the abuses committed by some members of the Church and sought forgiveness. During his time in Canada, he engaged with survivors, who shared their stories and traditional practices that had been suppressed in these schools.
While many viewed the visit as a significant step forward, some critics pointed out that the pope did not specifically name the crimes committed. There are also calls for the Vatican to return sacred artifacts held in its possession.
Simon underscored the importance of ongoing reconciliation efforts, stating, “It’s a long process, but you see things moving forward. And I hope that will continue to happen.” She noted that about 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools, with over 60 percent of these institutions run by the Catholic Church.
As the funeral concluded, the hope remains that the Vatican will carry forward the work of reconciliation and healing, continuing the dialogue initiated by Pope Francis.