Pope Francis to deliver apology to Indigenous communities in Canada

The discoveries of burial sites at former schools run by Catholic missionaries drew international attention to abuses. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Pope Francis to deliver apology to Indigenous communities in Canada [Canada's Indigenous groups plan to hear a long-awaited apology from Pope Francis for abuse by Catholic missionaries at residential schools.] Credit: Gregorio Borgia/AP Canada Pope Francis has begun a weeklong trip to Canada, during which he plans to deliver a long-awaited apology to Indigenous communities for generations of abuse and cultural suppression at Catholic residential schools across the country. Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission found that [more than 4,000 Indigenous children]( died from neglect or abuse at such schools. Thousands of Indigenous people arrived in Alberta province on Monday to hear the apology. Upon reaching Edmonton on Sunday, the pontiff was greeted by representatives of [Canada’s three main Indigenous groups]( — First Nations, Metis and Inuit — as well as political and church dignitaries. The discoveries of hundreds of burial sites at former schools over the past year drew international attention to the abuses in Canada and the United States. Myanmar Myanmar’s military junta has executed four activists, including former MP Phyo Zeya Thaw. They were accused of committing "terror acts." The families of those killed in the [first executions]( in more than three decades have submitted applications for more information. The sister of activist Ko Jimmy — whose real name is Kyaw Min Yu — said that they still haven’t received the bodies. The two other activists were Hla Myo Aung and Aung Thura Zaw, who were [sentenced to death]( for killing a woman who was an alleged informer for the junta. Human rights organizations have expressed intense criticism over the executions. The junta took over power in a military coup in February 2021, ousting the democratically-elected government in place at the time. Tunisia Tunisians are heading to the polls to vote in a referendum on a new constitution presented by President Kais Saied. But turnout has been low, with many people expected to boycott the vote, which they say would legitimize a process that could see a return to [dictatorial rule]( in their country. Many people are concerned that the new constitution will consolidate powers for the presidency. As the nation faces an economic crisis, Saied’s supporters say accepting the changes would help to improve the current situation. The vote is being held on the [first anniversary]( of Saied’s ousting of an elected parliament, soon after which he established emergency rule in the country. It’s unclear when the final results will be announced. Under the president’s rules for the referendum, a minimum level of participation is not needed for the constitution to be approved. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [Jackie Chan is producing a movie in Syria. Some Syrians are outraged.]( [In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, smoke rises after Syrian government airstrikes and shelling hit in Hajar al-Aswad neighborhood held by ISIS militants, southern Damascus, Syria, April 22, 2018.]( Credit: SANA via AP Jackie Chan, known for his action movies, martial arts and acrobatic fighting style, is producing a new film called “Home Operation.” This one though, is not set in Tokyo or LA, but in the leveled and destroyed town of Al-Hajar al-Aswad on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria. The news has [outraged some Syrians]( who say their destroyed homes are not props for foreign film productions. [Tokyo café specializes in aiding procrastinators]( [The Manuscript Café in Tokyo helps writers to bring their projects to completion.]( Credit: Thisanka Siripala/The World A café manager in Tokyo has developed a particular method to help writers [struggling with procrastination]( to complete their work. The Manuscript Writing Café only accepts customers who find it difficult to write to help them identify and meet their deadlines. --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot At Restaurant Polfareren, nestled between glaciers and permafrost and surrounded by the Arctic Ocean, reindeer ribs and miso-marinated cod are plated with precision. Each dish is part of a limited, high-quality menu, changing with the seasons. 🍽️ Longyearbyen, Norway, has been a coal mining town and research hub, but it’s quickly becoming a tourist destination with about 17 restaurants and a dozen hotels. [Listen to the story]( to learn more about its growing popularity. 🎧 [Chef Josh Wing’s menu at Restaurant Polfareren is small and simple, changing with the seasons and incorporating as much local game as possible.] Credit: Emily Haavik/The World In case you missed it on The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.