Outrage, forgiveness, and reconciliation:

Pope Francis and the “cultural assimilation” project for the indigenous peoples of Canada

Abstract

One of Pope Francis's most emotional and anticipated trips was undoubtedly his visit to Canada in July 2022. Upon the discovery of graves belonging to children who disappeared from residential schools run by the Catholic and Protestant churches, the Pope expressed his outrage and asked for forgiveness. This reflection focuses on four aspects that emerged from the Pope's address upon his arrival in Canada: the signs of suffering and death found in the moccasins worn by the missing children, which were given to Francis in Rome in preparation for his trip; Canada as a territory that, for the Pope, evokes a memory of suffering and death; the words of sorrow that demand forgiveness; and the path of reconciliation to be forged between the churches and Indigenous peoples.