The Pope’s “Gift” to Indigenous Communities Is More Imagery than Reconciliation

The Pope’s “gift” to Indigenous communities is more imagery than reconciliation

Returning what was never yours shouldn’t be considered a gift.The Vatican has returned 62 Indigenous artifacts to Canada, over 100 years after they were taken. While this represents a historic step in repairing the relationship between the Catholic Church and Canada’s Indigenous people, the remaining artifacts, the cost of the return, and the fact that they’re being returned to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) leave us wonderin…

Vatican Returns Cultural Artifacts To Indigenous Canadians In Gesture Of Reconciliation

In a symbolic gesture of reconciliation, the Vatican has returned 62 artifacts linked to the indigenous communities in Canada – including a renowned Inuit kayak – to Canadian bishops. According to the Associated Press, the handover, which was conducted by Pope Leo XIV, is described as “a gift and a concrete sign of dialogue, respect and fraternity.” The artifacts are expected to arrive in Montreal on December 6th and transported to the Canadian …