Métis, Inuit representatives speak after 1st historic meeting with Pope Francis | FULL

Cassidy Caron, president of the Métis National Council, said that the meeting they had with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Monday was a "stepping stone" on the journey to reconciliation, saying their hope is action will be taken. Caron said they invited the Pope to join them on a journey of truth, justice, healing and reconciliation.

The Métis national council met with Francis, as did the Inuit Circumpolar Council.

Caron said that an apology from Pope Francis was needed that is an acknowledgment that the Catholic Church and residential schools played a role "in the wrongdoing that was done to these children and our communities."

But Caron also said action needs to be taken by the Pope and the Church to ensure Church and residential school records are made available with "unfettered" access.

Natan Obed, the president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and leader of the Inuit delegation to the Vatican, outlined Monday the various discussions they had with the Pope Francis, including a request for the Holy See to come to Inuit Nunangat to make an apology over the Catholic Church's involvement in residential schools.

He also said they asked the Pope to directly intervene in the case of a priest accused of sexually assaulting children in Nunavut, or to work with the French government to either have him tried or extradited.

Each group — Métis, First Nations and Inuit — had one hour with Pope Francis before meeting him as a collective for a final hour on April 1. Within that timeframe, they must also communicate their expectations for the Catholic Church's role in reconciliation moving forward.

The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line (1-800-721-0066) is available 24 hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of their residential school experience.

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