Pope Francis urged redoubled efforts to “overcome the rhetoric of fear against immigrants” and to give them “a concrete opportunity to participate responsibly in society”.
The remarks were made by the Supreme Pontiff after meeting with the Governor General, Mary Simon, and the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, in the Citadel of Quebec, one of the Governor General’s residences.
On the fourth day of his visit to Canada, the pope reiterated the reason for his visit and expressed his request for forgiveness for his “shame and anguish” and “for the evil done by so many Christians against the indigenous people”.
The head of the Catholic Church arrived in Quebec on Wednesday after a stay in Edmonton, where he apologized for the church’s cooperation in boarding schools where 150,000 Indigenous children were removed from their families and an estimated 4,000 for abuse. were killed. and disease.
Francis highlights multiculturalism, noting that “it is the basis for the cohesion of such a diverse society.”
He also thanked the “generousness in welcoming the many Ukrainian and Afghan expatriates”.
“It is also necessary to work towards removing the rhetoric of fear towards the migrants and giving them a concrete opportunity to participate responsibly in the society as per the country’s prospects,” he said.
Furthermore, he lamented that “even in a developed and advanced country like Canada, which pays more attention to social aid, there are not a few destitute people who depend on churches and food banks for basic aid and support.” “
“It is reprehensible that the wealth generated by economic development does not benefit all segments of the society. It is sad that it is among natives that multiple poverty rates are often recorded, to which other negative indicators are added, such as low schooling, no easy access to housing and health care,” Francisco said.
