Bishop Thomas Dowd of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sault Ste. Marie says he is "thrilled" at the news that Pope Francis has indicated his willingness to visit Canada to meet with Indigenous peoples.
“This is welcome news from the Holy Father” said Bishop Dowd, “I was very happy to receive this news.”
Dowd said the news was encouraging given that the Pope’s presence in Canada “can be an important step in the process of reconciliation and healing.”
The official Vatican statement says that the Pope’s intention to visit Canada comes as a response to an invitation from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the date of the visit is yet to be determined.
A planned delegation of Indigenous survivors, Elders and youth will be traveling to the Vatican to meet with Pope Francis from December 17-20.
Dowd says he hopes that the December meeting between the Pope and the planned delegation will help guide Pope Francis for his visit to Canada.
Meanwhile, Indigenous leaders say Pope Francis must be ready to deliver an apology for the Catholic Church's role in residential schools when he visits Canada.
The Vatican said in a statement Wednesday that the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops invited the Pope to travel to Canada in the "context of the long-standing pastoral process of reconciliation with Indigenous peoples."
The statement said the Pope indicated his willingness to do so at an undetermined date.
There was no guarantee of an apology should the Pope visit.
With files from Canadian Press.
