Analyst: Outrage Over Internees In Canada Is Global 10:20
London (CNN) -
Pope Francis on Wednesday accepted an invitation from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCBC) to make an apostolic visit to Canada, within the framework of the pastoral process of reconciliation with indigenous peoples that has been going on for a long time.
The Vatican said Francis indicated his "willingness to visit the country on a date yet to be determined."
Canada's Catholic bishops said in a statement that they were grateful that Pope Francis had accepted their invitation, adding that a Canadian delegation that includes indigenous survivors, elders, guardians of knowledge and youth is scheduled to meet with the pontiff at the Vatican in December.
The tragic story behind Indigenous residential schools in Canada
"The bishops of Canada have engaged in meaningful discussions with Indigenous peoples, especially those affected by Indigenous residential schools who have shared stories of the suffering and challenges they continue to experience," said CCBC President Raymond Poisson.
"We pray that Pope Francis' visit to Canada will be a significant milestone on the road to reconciliation and healing," he added.
Indigenous people in Canada achieve greater independence 1:23
The Vatican announcement comes as Canada grapples with its history of systematic abuses against indigenous communities, following the discovery this year of hundreds of human remains in two former residential schools that were run by Catholic religious groups.
Thousands of minors from Canadian Indian schools may be buried in unmarked graves, official says
The boarding schools were part of a compulsory education system run by the Canadian government together with religious authorities during the 19th and 20th centuries with the intention of forcibly assimilating indigenous youth.
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Canada made a formal apology to boarding school alumni in 2008, calling them a "sad chapter in our history," and this year celebrated its first national commemoration honoring the victims and survivors of this school system.
Canada Indigenous Communities Pope Francis
