‘To honour him’: Canadian Bishops, Métis leader attending funeral for Pope Francis

Donald Bolen, the archbishop of Regina, is travelling to Vatican City for Saturday’s funeral of Pope Francis – a journey, he says, is to honour a pontiff who mirrored his vision and his compassion.

“When (Francis) put out a book called ‘The Name of God is Mercy,’ I smiled. Because my episcopal motto is ‘mercy within mercy within mercy’ — very much that same understanding,” Bolen said in an interview.

“I had enormous respect for Pope Francis through his pontificate.”

Bolen said the pope’s devotion to dialogue and international collaboration was inspiring, as was his commitment to justice.

“Encouraging us to walk together, to learn to be a church that’s more consultative — including voices in the full range of the church and being in dialogue with us others outside the church as part of our discernment — is very inspiring to me,” Bolen said.

“It’s really out of gratitude and respect for the leadership he’s given that I want to be there.”

It will be the second papal funeral Bolen has attended, as he was working for the Vatican in 2005 when Pope John Paul II died.

Bolen joins others heading overseas to express gratitude for the leadership and teachings of Francis. He died Monday after suffering a stroke and heart failure at age 88.

Gov. Gen. Mary Simon is to represent Canada at the service,

Manitoba Métis Federation President David Chartrand said he’s going as well. It will be his first time attending a pontiff’s funeral.

“The reason I’m attending this one is because of who (Francis) was, what he showed, what he displayed about his kindness to the people and always trying to help those that can’t help themselves,” Chartrand said.

In 2022, Chartrand led a delegation, including residential school survivors, elders and youth, to the Vatican to meet with Francis.

“He wanted to shake every one of our delegates hands, even though he was tired. You could tell he was in pain, but he did not want to miss that opportunity,” recalled Chartrand. “He listened very carefully to all the words our elders said to him … I saw the humbleness and the humility of this pope, and it touched my heart.”

A few weeks earlier, Francis had issued his first apology to Indigenous people for the conduct of Catholic church members involved in residential schools. About 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools, more than 60 per cent of which were run by the Catholic church.

Francis later travelled to Canada to fulfil one of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s final calls to action by apologizing on Canadian soil.

Chartrand said it’s a moment in the church’s history that should not be forgotten. A few staff members are joining Chartrand to pay their respects.

“It’s going to be long hours upon hours in a lineup, I’m sure. But I’m going to do it, because I want to show my honour to (Francis) on behalf of the Red River Métis government,” Chartrand said.

The archbishop of Toronto, Cardinal Frank Leo, said all five of Canada’s cardinals are to attend.

Also attending will be Diocese of Calgary Bishop William McGrattan, who also serves as president of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops

McGrattan, who will represent more than 100 Canadian bishops, expects it will be an emotional experience to honour a pontiff whose desire to serve his flock was evident on Easter Sunday. Despite his health, Francis delivered a blessing to a crowd in St. Peter’s Square.

“I think that’s why it was such a shock, his passing immediately on Easter Monday,” McGrattan said.

“But maybe that’s the providence of God and a grace to be seen in this.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 23, 2025.

Jack Farrell and Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press