Trudeau says Pope appeared ‘open’ to idea of a residential schools apology
Posted May 29, 2017 8:08 am.
Last Updated May 29, 2017 9:56 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VATICAN CITY (NEWS 1130) – Justin Trudeau says he told Pope Francis it’s important for all Canadians to move forward with reconciliation, and that the pontiff could help by issuing an apology for the role of the Catholic Church played in residential schools.
The prime minister says the Pope appeared to be open to it, noting that his entire life has been dedicated to supporting marginalized people in the world.
Following his visit to Vatican City, Trudeau says Pope Francis looked forward to working with the prime minister and the Canadian bishops on finding a way forward.
Trudeau says he also invited Pope Francis to visit Canada in the coming years.
He thanked the pontiff for the global leadership he has shown on climate change and the pair discussed the importance of protecting the planet.
The leaders exchanged gifts, with Trudeau giving the Pope a rare set of the Jesuit Relations — books compiled of reports that Jesuit priests wrote to the head of their order detailing life in New France in the 1600s.
Trudeau, a religious Catholic, says the meeting was also an opportunity to have a deeply personal discussion with the leader of his faith.
While in the region, Trudeau and his wife also toured the site of a deadly quake that rocked a region of Italy last year.
