Vatican Pope Indigenous Legacy

Whoever succeeds Pope Francis will inherit his momentous and controversial legacy of relations with Indigenous people throughout the Americas. Francis, who died April 21, apologized for the “catastrophic” legacy of residential schools in Canada. He oversaw the repudiation of the so-called “Doctrine of Discovery,” based on colonial-era papal decrees that legitimized seizures of Native lands. But some Indigenous leaders criticized Francis for canonizing Junipero Serra, the 18th century missionary accused of mistreating Native people. Even Francis’ admirers say more action from the church is needed.