The Vatican’s ambassador to Canada says Pope Francis is opening the door to an apology to the country’s Indigenous people for the abuse of children at Catholic-run Indian residential schools.

A papal apology was one of the calls to action issued by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which spent years investigating the schools. And Canada’s Parliament has voted to ask Francis to visit this country and make the requested statement of regret.

At a private gathering for foreign dignitaries and Canadian politicians held late last month at his residence in Ottawa, Archbishop Luigi Bonazzi, the Papal Nuncio, said the request has prompted a “lively discussion” in civil society and the Catholic community.

“Through the media, opinions have circulated giving the impression that Pope Francis would not be available to listen to the request made by the Indigenous peoples” for an apology, Archbishop Bonazzi said in a speech to his guests, which was shared this week with The Globe and Mail.