The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) has issued a public apology to Indigenous people in Canada for the suffering endured at residential schools, according to CBC Canada. "We acknowledge the grave abuses that were committed by some members of our Catholic community; physical, psychological, emotional, spiritual, cultural and sexual."

The statement also "sorrowfully acknowledges" the lingering trauma suffered by former residential school students and their families. "The Catholic Bishops of Canada express our profound remorse and apologize unequivocally," says the statement.

However, the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN) says the church needs to follow up with "concrete actions."

Many indigenous representatives want to see the Pope apologize in person.