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The Latest on the Pope's visit to Canada

Pope Francis is on a six-day tour of Canada aimed at reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples for the Roman Catholic Church's role in residential schools. Here are the latest developments on his stops today (all times are ET): 8:25 p.m.

Pope Francis is on a six-day tour of Canada aimed at reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples for the Roman Catholic Church's role in residential schools.

Here are the latest developments on his stops today (all times are ET):

8:25 p.m.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops says the Pope's visit to Canada represents a significant milestone on the path of healing and reconciliation.

It says in a news release that Francis called on the bishops to continue to help residential school survivors and their families in healing from the traumas they have suffered.

They will also be reviewing and updating their action plan to include greater transparency of residential school records.

And they will look at the Doctrine of Discovery, a document from the Vatican used in colonization.

People called throughout the Pope's visit for the decree to be rescinded.

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8:15 p.m.

Pope Francis has left Iqaluit, wrapping up his six-day visit of Canada.

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7:35 p.m.

Pope Francis said "I'm sorry" in Inuktitut while making his final public address before hundreds of people in Iqaluit.

People in the crowd cheered.

He spoke mostly in Spanish, which was translated into Inuktitut and English at the event.

He also ended his address by saying "thank you" in Inuktitut.

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7:15 p.m.

Pope Francis finished his address in Iqaluit with talk about Canada's national game.

He says being in Canada's North makes him think about hockey and teamwork.

He says hockey combines discipline, creativity, physical strength and team spirit.

Francis also asked how Canada manages to win so many Olympic medals for the sport.

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6:40 p.m.

Piita Irniq has performed a drum dance in front of Pope Francis in Iqaluit.

Irniq also presented his drum to Francis and shook his hand.

The Inuit elder has tried for decades to have Johannes Rivoire, an Oblate priest accused of sexual abuse against Inuit children, returned to Canada to face charges.

The federal government says Canada has asked France to extradite Rivoire, who is wanted on a Canada-wide warrant that was issued in February.

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6:30 p.m.

A person held up a sign calling for the Doctrine of Discovery to be rescinded as traditional Inuit singers and dancers performed for Pope Francis. 

The decree from the Vatican was used to justify colonization.

The sign says it was not historic and referenced Chesterfield Inlet and Rankin Inlet and the dates residential schools closed in those locations.

There have been calls to rescind the doctrine throughout the Pope’s Canadian visit.

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6:25 p.m.

Pope Francis has told a crowd gathered in Iqaluit that he is very sorry for the evil perpetrated by members of the Catholic church.

He also asked for forgiveness for policies that contributed to cultural assimilation in residential schools.

He says it's evil to break the bonds between parents and children.

The apology mirrors others the pontiff has given on his trip at stops in Alberta and Quebec.

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5:40 p.m.

Inuk Soprano Deantha Edmunds-Ramsay performed for hundreds of people waiting to hear from Pope Francis at a public event in Iqaluit.

She sang "Song of the River" and "Life’s Song."

She told the crowd how her songs were inspired by people lifting each other up and remembering where they come from.

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5:30 p.m.

Arnrak Korgak joined a crowd in Iqaluit waiting to hear Pope Francis during the final stop of the pontiff's visit through Canada.

He is a day school survivor and says hearing directly from Francis will be a milestone in the healing process.

He says what happened in residential and day schools must be recognized by the Catholic Church so it never happens again.

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5 p.m.

People lined the side of the roads in Iqaluit to get a glimpse of Pope Francis as the pontiff made his way to Nakasuk Elementary School.

Hundreds gathered at the site where Francis is to take part in a public event later today.

Inuit throat singing is taking place on a stage in front of the crowd.

Many people in the crowd are wearing headsets to hear Inuktitut translations.

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4:15 p.m.

Pope Francis has been greeted at the Iqaluit airport by several dignitaries, including Nunavut Premier P.J. Akeeagok and federal Northern Affairs Minister Dan Vandal.

Two residential school survivors also took part in the welcome ceremony.

Francis smiled, shook hands and handed out gifts in red boxes, thought to be commemorative coins of the historic visit.

He is now scheduled to have a private meeting with survivors at an elementary school.

3:40 p.m.

Pope Francis has arrived in Iqaluit for the last stop of his reconciliation visit in Canada.

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1 p.m.

A plane carrying Pope Francis has left Quebec City and is headed to Iqaluit for the final stop on his reconciliation visit to Canada.

In Iqaluit, he is scheduled to take part in private meetings with residential school survivors and an outdoor meeting with young people and elders before flying home to the Vatican.

10:35 a.m.

Pope Francis told a delegation of residential school survivors in Quebec City that he has come in a spirit of penance to express his heartfelt pain at the injustices inflicted upon them by “not a few Catholics.”

Francis says he came to Canada, despite his physical limitations, so the processes of healing and reconciliation can continue.

The pontiff will have a private meeting with the Indigenous delegation before flying to Iqaluit.

9 a.m.

Pope Francis is beginning the final day of his Canadian tour.

Francis is scheduled to meet privately this morning with members of his religious order, the Society of Jesus, in Quebec City.

He will then meet with residential school survivors before heading to Iqaluit, Nunavut.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2022.

The Canadian Press