On April 1, 2022, Pope Francis apologized for the Catholic Church's role in the operation of residential schools - a long-awaited event by survivors of Catholic-operated residential schools. This marked the first time that a pope has issued a formal public apology to Indigenous people from Canada.

While Pope Francis's words have met with a variety of responses, there has been unanimity that residential school survivors needed to hear the leader of the Catholic Church say "I am very sorry."

This is but a first step in the process contemplated by Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action 58 which calls upon the Pope to deliver such an apology on Canadian soil. The Pope has accepted an invitation from the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops to visit Canada. It is now anticipated that visit will occur in late July of this year when it is expected the Pope will apologize to survivors, their families, and communities.