Pope Apologizes to Indigenous Peoples

In his first public appearance in Canada, Pope Francis apologized to residential school survivors Indigenous people for the Church's role in the events that took place. The pontiff called the school system a "disastrous mistake:

"I am very sorry. I humbly ask forgiveness for the evil committed by so many Christians against indigenous peoples."

He noted that his apology was only the first step and that a serious investigation of those horrific crimes was needed.

Elmer St. Pierre, head of the Indigenous Congress, commented discreetly on the pope's speech, saying it was a step in the right direction, but "it could have been better." He did not like the pontiff's reading from the sheet:

"When you sing a song, it has to come from the heart."

Carol McBride, president of the Native Women's Association of Canada, said she hopes the pope's visit will lead to the publication of school records and the return of tribal artifacts, which she said are in the Vatican. She said she herself welcomes the fact that an apology has been made, but understands that some in the community "don't want to hear about it at all."

One survivor, Evelyn Korkmaz, agrees with her: she says she's waited 50 years for those words and waited, but she was disappointed that she never heard a "working plan" about what he was going to do next.

Canada has already transferred billions of dollars to First Nations representatives as part of the boarding school crime issue. The Catholic Church in Canada says it will pay another $30 million CAD in the coming years, in addition to the $50 million it has given previously.

It is reported that the visit of the Pope to Canada will last until July 29.