On July 29, Pope Francis arrived in Iqaluit to wrap up the Vatican's tour of Canada to apologize to Indigenous nations for the atrocities that happened in residential schools by the hands of the Catholic Church. Inuit welcomed Pope Francis with cultural performances on a stage that was decorated as a traditional sod house. After a drum performance, Piita Irniq gifted Pope Francis a qilaut, a traditional Inuit drum. Pope Francis first privately apologized to residential school survivors inside Nakasuk Elementary School. Afterwards, he made a public appearance and spoke of the shame of the Catholic Church and gave encouragement to young people facing difficult emotions. The Pope left on his private plane shortly after, which concluded his Canadian tour.
