Pope Francis inaugurated, on November 29, the Jubilee of Mercy in the capital of the Central African Republic: “The Holy Year begins earlier in this land that has suffered for many years as a result of war, hatred, misunderstanding and a lack of peace. Let us ask for peace and reconciliation for all countries that are at war”. "To all those who make unjust use of the weapons of this world, I make this appeal: lay down these instruments of death!"

On his visit to the camp set up in the parish of St. Sauver, Francis said; “Peace without friendship, tolerance and forgiveness is not possible and each and every one of us needs to do our bit”.

Let’s repeat together again: “We are brothers and sisters”. The guests at the St. Sauveur refugee camp in Bangui – which hosts 3300 people, mainly women and children –, belted out the words “I Kwé i yèkè a ita” “We are brothers and sisters!” three times.

At “La Renaissance”, Bangui’s presidential palace, the Pope urged against “the temptation of fear of others, of the unfamiliar, of what is not part of our ethnic group, our political views or our religious confession”. CAR’s interim president said: “God has heard our prayers and has sent us a messenger of peace”.

The Pope landed,on November 29, November in Central African Republic, where thousands of people lined the streets to welcome him: “I come as a pilgrim of peace and as an apostle of hope”

Speaking off the cuff, the Pope pronounced some strong words at Nairobi’s Karasani Stadium: there are cases of corruption in all institutions, “even in the Vatican”. Young people who are recruited by fundamentalists “need education and work”
andrea tornielli
in nairobi

Director of the Catholic Center for Studies and Media Fr. Rif'at Bader said: "The world stands amazed while viewing the ability of evil and Satan to get hold of all groups of people by turning their joys into sorrows as well inflicting tragedies on families, nations and humans."

He added: "We pray that the Almighty God would bestow His Mercy upon the souls of the victims in both Lebanon and France. We also ask the Lord to give eternal life to the dead, to heal the wounded, and to give solace and tranquility to the bereaved families."

Pope Francis was welcomed by the country’s president, Yoweri Museveni. The Pope praised Uganda for opening its arms to refugees and criticised “the globalization of a ‘throwaway culture’”.

Francis visited the Kangemi slum that is home to over 100,000 people and lacks services and a sewerage system. He said we cannot disregard “the dreadful injustice of urban exclusion. These are wounds inflicted by minorities who cling to power and wealth, commit ourselves to ensuring that every family has dignified housing, access to drinking water, a toilet, reliable sources of energy for lighting”

In his homily for Mass at Central Park opposite the University of Nairobi, Francis called on people “to resist practices which foster arrogance in men, hurt or demean women, and threaten the life of the innocent unborn”.

At his first meeting on the second day of his visit to Africa, Francis met on Thursday, November 26, with leaders of other Christian denominations and other faiths, driving home the fact that the name of God “must never be used to justify hatred and violence”. Inter-religious dialogue “is not a luxury” it is “essential”, he explained.