Pope Francis on Wednesday denounced “ideological colonization” and renewed his apologies to Indigenous peoples for decades of abuse, during a speech to senior Canadian officials.

The 85-year-old pontiff Wednesday lashed out at the “deplorable” school system, again expressing his “deep shame and pain… I renew my request for forgiveness for the evil done by so many Christians to the indigenous peoples”.

Francis criticized the “colonialist mentality” of the past, adding that Even today, there are many forms of ideological colonization that clash with the reality of lifeThey stifle the natural attachment of peoples to their values ​​and attempt to uproot their traditions, their history and their religious ties”.

In his speech, the pontiff championed multiculturalism and committed to promoting the rights of Indigenous peoples and “to move forward on a fraternal and patient path…working for healing and reconciliation”.

From the late 19th century to the 1990s, the Canadian government sent some 150,000 children to 139 church-run residential schools, where they were cut off from their family, language and culture, in an attempt to forced assimilation.

Many suffered physical and sexual abuse, and thousands are believed to have died of disease, malnutrition or neglect.

Pope Francis’ repeated apologies during his visit were well received in Canadaalthough many natives who spoke with the AFP They warned that there is a long way to go.

Mary Simon, Canada’s first Indigenous Governor General, reminded Francis of the upcoming work Wednesday in Quebec City with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in attendance.

“It doesn’t matter where you’re listening to us from… you’re on indigenous lands,” he said.

Simon praised survivors of Catholic boarding schools who came to hear the pope “with open hearts and minds, some ready to forgive and others still living in pain, but all ready to listen.”

The pontiff’s visit, the governor added, it was “an important step towards greater dialogue and actions leading to true reconciliation”.

Trudeau focused his attention on the importance of the victims and their families. “Survivors and their descendants must be at the center of everything we do together in the future,” he said.

COLONIAL MENTALITY

dad too on Wednesday attacked cancel culture, calling it a “fashion that … does not tolerate difference and focuses on the present”on the needs and rights of individuals, while frequently neglecting its duties to the weakest and most vulnerable”.

The pontiff reiterated his views on the war in Ukraine, warning of the dangers of “the arms race and strategies of deterrence” and “terrible and protracted cold wars”.

Along the highway from the airport to the Citadel of Quebec, hundreds of people with smartphones in hand crowded behind the barriers to catch a glimpse of the pope in his white Fiat.

Some carried welcome signs and Vatican flags.

On Thursday, François will give mass at the National Shrine of Sainte Anne de Beaupré, one of the main places of pilgrimage in North America. Later, he will go to Notre-Dame Cathedral in Quebec to deliver a homily.

On Friday, he will travel to the Arctic archipelago of Nunavut, where he will visit the city of Iqaluit, the last leg of his six-day visit.

Francisco suffered knee pain during this visit, during which he was occasionally seen in a wheelchair.

(With information from AFP)

KEEP READING: