Groups welcome planned papal visit

Indigenous groups are welcoming news that Pope Francis plans to visit Canada this summer following his apology last month for the Roman Catholic Church’s role in residential schools.

The Vatican said Friday that the pontiff is to stop in Alberta, Quebec and Nunavut, and that the capital cities of Edmonton, Quebec City and Iqaluit are to act as bases for the trip from July 24 to 29.

The Confederacy of Treaty Six First Nations is working with the Holy See to plan the visit to that area, Grand Chief George Arcand said.

Edmonton is part of Treaty 6 territory, which spans central Alberta and Saskatchewan.

“I recognize the impact the Pope’s visit will have in Treaty 6, to the survivors, their families and communities,” Arcand said. “My prayers are with the survivors — it is my hope we are on a path to healing and that survivors’ truths are validated with this historic visit to our territories.”

An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools and more than 60 per cent of the schools were run by the Catholic Church.

On April 1, after meetings over several days with First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups at the Vatican, Pope Francis apologized for the deplorable conduct of church members involved in residential schools. He also said he would visit Canada.