‘Very clear’ Pope was listening: Fontaine

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This article was published 30/03/2022 (904 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ROME — When he came to Rome in 2009 to meet Pope Benedict XVI, former Assembly of First Nations National Chief Phil Fontaine asked for an apology to Indigenous people. The Pope declined to do that.

“I’m back today for another shot at convincing Pope Francis to apologize,” Fontaine said with a smile.

Speaking in St. Peter’s Square after a two-hour meeting between First Nations people and the Pope — an hour longer than planned — Fontaine described the meeting as “a profound moment.”

The delegation gave the Pope “a plateful of critical issues for our people” to think about, he said, including healing for residential school survivors, dealing with the Doctrine of Discovery, following up on the actions of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, reparations and the return of land.

The Pope did not say whether he would apologize. But, Fontaine said, during the meeting the delegates “did most of the talking.”

It was “very clear” to Fontaine that the Pope was listening and reflecting on what they were saying.

The Pope told delegates he will “take the rest of today and this evening to reflect, then come back to us tomorrow at the general audience to tell us what he thinks,” Fontaine said.

“I’m pretty optimistic we are moving forward with an apology,” he added.

Fontaine also suggested to the Pope that he come to Winnipeg, to “make it a central part of the papal tour.”

When it was his turn to speak, AFN Regional Chief Gerald Antoine called the meeting “a special divine moment.”

Antoine said the meeting reminded him of Michelangelo’s famous painting on the ceiling of the nearby Sistine Chapel of God reaching down to Adam.

“There are two fingers coming together,” Antoine said, adding the meeting of Indigenous people from Canada and the Pope “was like that painting.”

The meeting itself was “long overdue,” Antoine said, but it brought together First Nations people from across Canada to speak to the Pope about the need for truth and justice.

Europeans tried to destroy Indigenous people, Antoine said, including through the Doctrine of Discovery.

“They denied our existence as human beings. But we’re still here, our languages and cultures are strong,” he said.

Despite the grief and pain Indigenous people have suffered over the generations, “there is hope,” Antoine said, adding all Canadians now have a chance to work together as Indigenous people build a “future of respect and self determination.”

“Assist us to thrive in our culture and our beautiful languages,” he said. “This won’t happen overnight, but we must start now so all may flourish.”

The delegates were led into the square from the Vatican by drummers and singing.

John Longhurst is in Rome this week to cover the papal visit by Indigenous people for the Free Press. See coverage of the visit at www.winnipegfreepress.com/papalvisit

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