Reconciliation a top priority for Pope Francis, says ambassador

Reconciliation between the Catholic Church and Indigenous people is a top priority for Pope Francis, says the Vatican's ambassador to Canada.

If something wrong was done and something remains to be done, you do it.- ArchbishopLuigiBonazzi

That's whythe Pope will make every effort to travel to Saskatchewan anddeliver the long-awaited apology to residential school students, says ArchbishopLuigiBonazzi, the Vatican'sambassador or "ApostolicNuncio" in Ottawa.

Regina Archbishop DonBolen, Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Felix Thomas and others areworking to bring the pope here in 2018 or 2019.

• Efforts underway to bring Pope to Sask. for residential schools apology

The focus of the papal visit would be the apology to residential school students, atWanuskewinHeritage Park just north of Saskatoon.

"If something wrong was done and something remains to be done, you do it,"Bonazzisaid.

The local group has sent an invitation letter to Francis.Bonazzi, who has served in Eastern Europe, West Africa and theCaribbean, said he hopes to be the "bridge" connecting the groups.

TRC calls for Pope apology

Bonazzihas closely followed the work of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which issued nearly 100 calls to action. One of those included an apology from the Pope on Canadian soil.

The pope's predecessor, Benedict XVI, issued a statement of regret for residential school sexual abuse when a Canadian delegation visited the Vatican in 2009.

Bolensaid survivors are looking for something more broad. Thomas said an apology atWanuskewin, an ancient gathering place for First Nations people, would be of immense help tosurvivors and their families.

Bonazzisaid Francis and other Vatican officials understandthese issues: "Pope Francis manifests his special attention to those in need to offer his presence and whatever he can in situations where there are open wounds or there is something to be healed."

Saskatchewan had more residential school students per capita than any other province. The Catholic Church ran many of the schools on behalf of the federal government.