For the final stop on his penitential pilgrimage, Pope Francis traveled to Iqaluit, the capital of the Nunavut territory in Canada and home to the largest Inuit population.
Accompanied by traditional dances, songs, and music, a representative of the community welcomed the Pope.
The Pope apologized once again for the injustices and abuses indigneous people faced at the hands of many Catholics. Using the image of the qulliq, a traditional Inuit oil lamp, he encouraged the community to continue being a light in the world.
POPE FRANCIS
Even today, the qulliq remains a beautiful symbol of life, of a luminous life that does not surrender to the darkness of the night. And that is what you are—a perennial testimony of a life that does not go out, of a light that does not fade, of a light that shines and that no one can suffocate.
During this meeting, Pope Francis called on young people to live lives worthy of the inheritance they receive from their parents in order to create a better future.
POPE FRANCIS
It is not enough to live off the legacy of your family, it is necessary to to earn what you have received as a gift. So don't be afraid to listen over and over again to the advice of the elders, to embrace your history in order to write a new story, to be passionate, to take a stand in front of facts and people, and to take risks.
The Pope offered young people three pieces of advice to help them in their journey. First, they must walk towards the heights, meaning they are meant to “fly high” towards God in the Heavens. Second, they must always go towards the light, the light of Christ, especially in their darkest moments. And lastly, the Pope called young people to achieve their goals as a team rather than alone.
POPE FRANCIS
It is necessary to allow young people to form groups, to be active. They cannot spend their days isolated, held hostage by their phones. The great glaciers of these lands make me think of Canada's national sport: ice hockey. How is it possible for Canada to win all the Olympic medals? How did Sarah Nurse or Marie-Philip Poulin score all those goals? Field hockey combines discipline and creativity, tactics and skill, but it is always the team spirit that makes the difference.
At the end of the meeting, Pope Francis prayed the Lord's Prayer with those present before heading to Iqaluit International Airport for his flight back to Rome.
KG
