Pope Francis in Africa Tag

POPE FRANCIS IN AFRICA, by Sarah-Leah Pimentel • On the last night of Pope Francis’ visit to Africa, he gathered with young people in the Central African Republic (CAR). The cathedral in Bangui became a holy place of mercy. Here, in this forgotten corner of Africa, in a country torn by seemingly endless cycles of conflict and death, Pope Francis opened the door of the cathedral that will be the Holy Door through which everyone is invited to enter in the Year of Mercy. Perhaps it will also be theRead More
POPE FRANCIS IN AFRICA, by Sarah-Leah Pimentel • After meeting the leaders of the Central African Republic (CAR), Pope Francis visited a refugee camp, administered the sacrament of reconciliation to a gathering of young people and celebrated two masses. Thousands came to see Francis despite a security lockdown Despite the fears of security, people turned out in large numbers to meet with Pope Francis. Journal de Bangui described the atmosphere as follows: “Despite the security threats and the fear that is now a part of their daily lives, the CentralRead More
POPE FRANCIS IN AFRICA, Sarah-Leah Pimentel • Pope Francis’s message in the Central African Republic (CAR) was a call to peace and encouragement for the people of this war torn country to find healing and reconciliation. This leg of the Pope Francis’ trip was possibly the most dangerous. In a country reeling from various waves of violence between the mostly Muslim Seleka rebels and the predominately Christian anti-balaka vigilante groups, there were real fears that Pope Francis could be targeted. To protect him, UN troops, 900 members of a FrenchRead More
POPE FRANCIS IN AFRICA, by Sarah-Leah Pimentel • Pope Francis arrived in Uganda late on Friday, 27 November. According to Ugandan newspaper, The Observer, the Pontiff received a “rousing welcome from Ugandans who thronged Entebbe International Airport to receive him.” According to the report, he also received a 21-gun salute and a dance group “provided entertainment in performing several cultural dances including the Kiganda dance, Runyege, Kinywarwanda and playing all sorts of local music instruments from makondele, madinda among others.” Pope commends Uganda for receiving refugees Shortly after his arrival,Read More
POPE FRANCIS IN AFRICA, by Sarah-Leah Pimentel, schoenstatt.org • Pope Francis again abandoned his prepared speech – as he sometimes does – when the events around him stir something deep within him and cause him to speak from his heart. This was the case during the Holy Father’s meeting with the Kenyan youth on 27 November at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi. After hearing the questions of two young people who asked him why war, fanaticism and destruction seem to happen among young people, Pope Francis answered them in his nativeRead More