In a heavier atmosphere in Iqaluit, Pope Francis concluded his trip to Canada by once again asking for forgiveness for the suffering experienced in residential schools “which exceeds what he could have imagined”.

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The Holy Father ended his “penitential” journey in evocative silence in Iqaluit, the capital of the territory of Nunavut, where just over 7,000 people, mostly Inuit, live.

Many survivors had been waiting for this moment for decades. Before going on stage, the pope listened to the testimonies of former students of residential schools. This private meeting took longer than expected.

Indignation

“It has awakened in me the indignation and shame that I have felt for months. Today again, here, I would like to tell you that I am very saddened and that I wish to ask forgiveness for the evil committed by a certain number of Catholics who, in these schools, have contributed to the policies of cultural assimilation and postage," said the Holy Father.

For some, it could be a turning point between the Catholic Church and the Inuit of Canada.

Deviating from the official text, the pope even spoke of “tremendous suffering that he could never have imagined. »

Based on the story of an elder, he also underlined the beauty of the climate that reigned in Aboriginal families before the advent of the residential school system.

families destroyed

“Families have been broken up, children taken away from their environment; the children were separated from their parents...”, he underlined.

His speech broadcast in three languages ​​lasted about an hour. Through his advice, the pope encouraged young Inuit to build the future as a team, without spending their days isolated, held hostage by a telephone.

“In your hands is the community that begot you. Team up. Young people are doing great things together, not alone, ”he said in particular.

Finally, the Holy Father referred to ice hockey and the Olympic medals won by Canada.

Hockey

“How did Sarah Nurse or Marie-Philip Poulin manage to score so many goals? [...] Teaming up means believing that to achieve great goals, we cannot go forward alone; this is the team spirit! [...] Team up! And you do all of this in your own culture, in the beautiful Inuktitut language. »

Drying their tears, many shouted "Thank you" and "We love you", before seeing Pope Francis leave the public space.

Around 8 p.m., the Holy Father flew to Rome.