The Vatican on Saturday returned 62 artifacts originating from Indigenous communities in Canada to the country’s Catholic bishops, describing the move as “a concrete sign of dialogue, respect and fraternity,” according to a statement cited by Reuters.
Pope Leo XIV formally handed over the objects to the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB) following a meeting with its representatives, including CCCB president Bishop Pierre Goudreault.
“The CCCB will proceed, as soon as possible, with the transfer of these artifacts to the National Indigenous Organizations (NIO). They will then ensure that the items are returned to their communities of origin,” the Canadian bishops said.
The artifacts were originally sent to Rome by Catholic missionaries for a 1925 exhibition organized by Pope Pius XI, which showcased more than 100,000 objects. Nearly half of them later formed the foundation of the newly established Missionary-Ethnological Museum, portions of which were transferred to the Vatican Museums in the 1970s.
The restitution comes in the context of ongoing efforts by the Catholic Church to address historical injustices. In 2022, Pope Francis apologized to Indigenous peoples in Canada ahead of his visit to the country, acknowledging the Church’s role in the abuse of Indigenous children in so-called residential schools.
The repatriation of Indigenous artifacts held by the Vatican Museums has also been a recurring topic in discussions between Church officials and Indigenous leaders.