(April 21, 2025 – Unceded Algonquin Territory, Ottawa) – National Chief Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak issued a statement regarding the passing of His Holiness, Pope Francis.
On behalf of the Assembly of First Nations, the National Chief expressed her sadness at the passing of Pope Francis, stating, “In an institution resistant to progressive change, Pope Francis led by example and disrupted the status quo in a good way. On many issues, including the many harms and crimes inflicted by Catholic clergy on First Nations children in the ‘Indian residential school’ system, Pope Francis pushed the Catholic Church to confront its past and seek a path for reconciliation and change.”
In Canada, His Holiness Pope Francis opened a new chapter of healing when he met with a delegation of First Nations and Indigenous Peoples in 2022 to hear firsthand accounts of the harms inflicted by residential schools. His Holiness then travelled to Canada to meet with Survivors and issued an apology on our ancestral territories. This marked an important step forward in the healing journey of many First Nations individuals and communities. In addition, thanks to the work started by Pope Francis, First Nations are now engaged in discussions for the repatriation of sacred First Nations cultural items held by the Vatican. The National Chief expressed her hope that this work would continue in the positive direction set by His Holiness, adding, “The commitment of Pope Francis to work with us toward true reconciliation will be his legacy and how he will be remembered.
“The final Easter address of Pope Francis exemplified his lifelong commitment to bring humanity together to address inequality and oppression and to lift up the poor and most vulnerable. Let us remember his call to action when His Holiness said, ‘I appeal to all those in positions of political responsibility not to yield to the logic of fear … but rather to use the resources available to help the needy, to fight hunger and to encourage initiatives that promote development.’”
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The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) is a national advocacy organization that works to advance the collective aspirations of First Nations individuals and communities across Canada on matters of national or international nature and concern.
For more information, please contact:
Cherish Francis
Press Secretary
Office of the National Chief
(343) 630-1372 (mobile)
[email protected]
Kelly Reid
Senior Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
(613) 292-0857 (mobile)
[email protected]