Thousands of indigenous people are expected to converge on the small Alberta prairie community of Maskwacis on Monday to hear a long-awaited apology from Pope Francis.
Francis is scheduled to arrive Monday morning at the site of the former Ermineskin Indian Residential School, where he is expected to apologize for generations of abuse and cultural suppression at Catholic residential schools across Canada.
Francis is expected to speak at 10am. You can see their statements here.
Several channels of live interpretation, including in 12 indigenous languages and American Sign Language, will be available on the official website of the Pope’s visit.
During his visit to Maskwacis, Francis will pause at the sites of the old school and the nearby cemetery before speaking in a large area open to school survivors, their families and other supporters.
There are five teepees on the site, and one of them represents the entrance to the old school.
Francis speaks in the afternoon to indigenous people and parishioners at Edmonton’s Sacred Heart Church.
Later in the week, the Pope plans to host a large outdoor Mass at Edmonton’s Commonwealth Stadium and take part in a pilgrimage to nearby Lac Ste. Anne, before traveling to Quebec and Iqaluit.
Francis arrived in Canada on Sunday for a six-day trip aimed at reconciliation with indigenous peoples.
Francis committed to the Canadian tour on April 1, after meeting for several days with First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups at the Vatican. Francis then apologized for the deplorable behavior of some church members involved in residential schools and promised to visit Canada.
Indigenous delegates had told the Pope they wanted an apology on Canadian soil.
An estimated 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools in Canada, where neglect and physical and sexual abuse were widespread. More than 60% of the schools were run by the Roman Catholic Church.
The Maskwacis school was one of the largest residential schools in Canada.
The Pope told reporters before his plane landed in Edmonton that the visit must be handled carefully.
“I hope, with the grace of God, that my penitential pilgrimage can contribute to the path of reconciliation already begun. Please join me in prayer,” said a message on the Pope’s Twitter account.
Support is available for anyone affected by their experience in residential care or recent reports.
A National Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line has been set up to support alumni and those affected. People can access crisis and emotional referral services by calling the 24-hour national crisis line: 1-866-925-4419.
Mental health counseling and crisis assistance are also available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through the Hope for Wellness hotline at 1-855-242-3310 or by chat online at www.hopeforwellness.ca.