Metis, Inuit and Assembly of First Nations representatives are expected to hold a press conference on Friday just a short time after Pope Francis gave a formal apology at the Vatican for the grave harm caused by Canada's harrowing residential school system.

The apology came after several days of meetings, with each group meeting with him individually, before having a meeting with him together. He then made the apology before a live-streamed audience with more than 170 Indigenous survivors, elders, knowledge keepers, youth and community leaders.

He said he was "deeply grieved" by the stories of abuse, hardship and discrimination he heard throughout the week.

“All this made me feel two things very strongly — indignation and shame,” he said before a packed room at the Vatican. “Indignation, because it is not right to accept evil, and even worse to grow accustomed to evil as if it were an inevitable part of the historical process.

“All these things are contrary to gospel of Jesus Christ. For the deplorable conduct of these members of the Catholic Church — I ask for God’s forgiveness and I want to say to you with all my heart, I am very sorry.”

The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-800-721-0066) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.

For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca/news/8727423/pope-francis-apologizes-residential-schools-vatican-delegation/
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