The Vatican on Saturday returned 62 Indigenous artifacts to Canada’s Catholic bishops, describing the transfer as “a concrete sign of dialogue, respect and fraternity” amid longstanding efforts by Indigenous nations to reclaim cultural property removed under colonial rule.
In the joint statement, the Holy See and the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops confirmed that Pope Leo XIV formally gifted the artifacts, which had been held for decades in the Vatican Museums, after they were sent to Rome for the 1925 Vatican Missionary Exhibition. The collection, which includes an Inuit kayak, masks, footwear and ceremonial objects, is expected to be transported to Canada for reunification with the communities of origin.
Indigenous leaders continue to raise concerns about the volume of cultural property still held outside their communities. The Assembly of First Nations has emphasized the importance of returning sacred items that remain in institutional custody, noting that the Vatican’s Anima Mundi Museum houses thousands of Indigenous artifacts collected from communities across Canada. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand similarly expressed support, calling it an “ important step that honours the diverse cultural heritage of Indigenous peoples and supports ongoing efforts toward truth, justice, and reconciliation.”
The Vatican’s decision follows broader steps taken in recent years to address its historical role in colonial dispossession. During his 2022 visit to Canada, Pope Francis gave formal apologies in Maskwacîs, Alberta, Iqaluit, Nunavut, and La Citadelle, Quebec for the Church’s involvement in the residential school system. In 2023, the Vatican issued a joint statement repudiating the “Doctrine of Discovery,” acknowledging its historical misuse to justify the seizure of land and cultural suppression.
Indigenous leaders note, however, that thousands of Indigenous cultural items remain in museum collections across Europe and North America. Ongoing discussions focus on provenance, stewardship and whether future repatriations should occur directly between the Vatican and Indigenous governments.