Pope Francis asked for forgiveness for the “sins and failings of the church and its members” that took place during Rwanda’s 1994 genocide on Monday after a meeting with Rwanda’s president.
In Francis’ statement, after the 25-minute meeting in the Apostolic Palace with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, the Vatican indicated that some Catholic priests and nuns “succumbed to hatred and violence, betraying their own evangelical mission” by partaking in the genocide.
From April to July 1994, about 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed by Hutu extremists. The violence began after the death of the Hutu president of Rwanda, Juvénal Habyarimana, whose plane was shot down. According to some accounts by survivors, many victims of the 100-day genocide were killed by priests, clergymen and nuns. Also, many Tutsis were killed in churches while seeking solace from the horror.
Roughly half of Rwanda’s population is Roman Catholic.
Pope Francis’ request for forgiveness comes after an official apology last year by Rwanda’s Catholic bishops for “all the wrongs the church committed,” which the Rwandan government dismissed on the grounds that “the Catholic Church still remains from a full and honest reckoning with its moral and legal responsibilities.” It subsequently demanded an apology from the Vatican.
The Vatican’s statement went on to say that Francis “expressed the desire that this humble recognition of the failings of that period, which unfortunately disfigured the face of the church, may contribute to a ‘purification of memory’ and may promote, in hope and renewed trust, a future of peace.”
After the meeting with Francis, the Rwandan president tweeted about his happiness with the “new chapter”:
Great day/moment and meeting with Pope Francis, new chapter in relations btwn Rwanda & Catholic Church/Holy See!
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) March 20, 2017
Being able to acknowledge/apologise for wrongs in circumst./cases like this is an act of courage and moral high standing typical @Pontifex
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) March 20, 2017
We will all be better for it!
— Paul Kagame (@PaulKagame) March 20, 2017
In addition to talking about the genocide, Francis and Kagame exchanged their views on “the political, social and regional situation, with attention to those places that are suffering conflicts and natural calamities” with a specific focus on “the large number of refugees and migrants in need of help and support from the international community.”
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.