The Vatican has recently made a significant statement against the exploitation of lands and historical forced assimilation of native peoples. The statement addresses the “Doctrine of Discovery,” a colonial-era principle that allowed European powers to claim lands belonging to indigenous peoples. In the document, the Holy See states that taking land from original inhabitants has never been part of Church teaching and acknowledges that previous popes could have done more to address the rights of indigenous people. It also clarified that this doctrine has never been part of Church teaching and that missionaries have done a lot to promote and protect the rights of all human beings including indigenous people.