Canadian Catholics are remembering Pope Francis for his work towards Truth and Reconciliation, after his passing on Monday, April 21.
The Christ the Redeemer Catholic School Division issued a statement on social media about the Pope's death.
“His Holiness, Pope Francis, has died today. His Holiness served as Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, and Supreme Pontiff of the Catholic Church from 2013 to 2025,” the statement said.
"In that time, he made a special journey to Canada to offer an apology to the Indigenous Peoples on behalf of the Church. He leaves us with a Jubilee that shares in his own hope in Jesus Christ.”
In 2022, Francis toured Canada, where he issued an apology for some Church members' participation in the abuse, cultural destruction, and forced assimilation of Indigenous Peoples in residential schools.
“Alberta was honoured to welcome the Holy Father in 2022, a visit that brought moments of worship, reflection, and an important step toward healing. His meeting with Indigenous leaders and his apology for the legacy of residential schools were acts of humility and reconciliation – reminders that faith calls us to forgiveness,” said Premier Danielle Smith.
“Today, we join with Catholics across our province and the world in mourning Pope Francis, reflecting on a life dedicated to God and to the service of others.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney worked alongside Francis through his Council for Inclusive Capitalism and will remember him for his teachings and actions.
“His vision of fairness between the generations was rooted in concrete calls for action, policy, and personal responsibility. I saw firsthand his unwavering commitment to placing human dignity at the centre of our economic and political systems,” Carney said.
"With his visit to Canada and apology to Indigenous Peoples on residential schools, His Holiness heard from Survivors and their descendants about that system's legacy of searing and enduring pain and met it with an important step of accountability and healing on the shared path toward reconciliation.”