CHARLOTTETOWN—Canadian political leaders praised Pope Francis on Monday, with Liberal Leader Mark Carney commending his “moral clarity” and leadership — including his 2022 apology for the role of Christians in Indigenous residential schools — after the Catholic pontiff died Monday at 88.
Carney, a practicing Catholic who remains prime minister through the election campaign, began a campaign event in Prince Edward Island on a sombre note, reflecting on the pope’s legacy as an example of what he described as compassionate leadership for the world’s most vulnerable. He declared that the pope’s example shows the need to ensure financial markets don’t overshadow human values of compassion, an echo of Carney’s own perspective as espoused in his 2021 book Value(s), and pointed to Pope Francis’s view that environmental degradation and social injustice are linked.
“Pope Francis was a voice of moral clarity, spiritual courage, and boundless compassion. He was in many respects, the world’s conscience, never hesitating to challenge the powerful on behalf of the vulnerable,” Carney said.
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“Comparing humanity to wine — rich, diverse, full of spirit — and the market to grappa — distilled, intense, and at times disconnected. And he called on all of us to reintegrate human values into our economic lives,” Carney added.
“I join others in reflecting on his passing and commit myself to fulfilling his challenge.”
Pope Francis has died. He was 88.
Associated PressCarney also noted how Pope Francis visited Canada in 2022, and apologized for the role of Christians in the Indigenous residential school system. Thousands of children were forced to attend the schools over more than a century, in what the 2015 Truth and Reconciliation Commission determined was a central part of a government policy of “cultural genocide.”
Carney called the apology a “crucial” and “historic” step in the church’s “journey” towards reconciliation.
“The church, and dare I say all of us, have more to travel on that journey, and certainly my government is committed to advancing reconciliation,” Carney said.
He said this includes work to “integrate” Indigenous groups into decisions on building Canada’s economy, as well as moves to increase government loan guarantees to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities buy into or lead development projects.
The Pope's last day, Easter Sunday, was marked by an appearance on the Loggia balcony of St. Peter's Basilica, meeting the faithful in the piazza below, and a private meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.
Associated PressOn social media, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre similarly offered condolences and noted the significance of the 2022 papal apology.
“His humility, compassion, and steadfast faith had a profound impact on millions of Canadians and others around the world from every faith background,” Poilievre, raised a Catholic, wrote.
Later, at a news conference in Scarborough, Poilievre added, “there have been countless millions of Catholics and non-Catholics that have been inspired by his leadership in faith and other domains. Our prayers are with all Catholics as they lay to rest the head of the Catholic Church, and we are in solidarity in remembering him and honouring his contributions.”.
Pope Francis is being remembered by Canadians as a man of compassion and progressive values. Religious leaders say Francis was accessible and eager to listen, including when he met with Indigenous people to hear about their stories and experiences. (April 21, 2025 / The Canadian Press)
In a statement Monday morning, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called the residential school apology a “meaningful step toward truth and accountability — one that brought deep emotions for many Indigenous families and communities.”
Editor’s note — April 22, 2025
This article has been updated.
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