Pope Francis: Pontiff says he is 'deeply sorry' to Canadian residential school survivors

Pope Francis pleaded with survivors of indigenous residential schools for forgiveness during his first public remarks in Canada. "I am deeply sorry," the Pope said on the grounds of a former residential school in Maskwacis, near Edmonton.

He claimed that his apology is only a first step toward healing and that abuses must be the subject of a "serious investigation."

The pope is in Canada to apologise for the Church's involvement in native children's assimilation efforts in schools.

The government-funded educational institutions were a part of a strategy to obliterate indigenous languages and cultures.

Applause from the survivors in the audience, some of whom travelled great distances to hear the Pope speak, greeted the papal apology.

The actions of numerous members of the Roman Catholic Church, who ran and operated the majority of the residential schools in Canada, were met with "sorrow, indignation, and shame," according to Pope Francis.

The 85-year-old Pope apologised for "the evil committed by so many Christians" against native peoples and called the educational system a "disastrous error."

Attendee and residential school survivor Bruce Allan said it was emotional to hear the Pope's apology, but many are still waiting for the pontiff to take action.