Pope Francis is set to arrive in Nairobi on Wednesday, November 25th. Photo/ FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 22 – With barely days before Pope Francis starts his maiden trip to Africa, he has gone out of his way to express excitement in meeting and interacting with people of Kenya and Uganda.
While appreciating efforts to prepare for his visit, the Holy Father has also sent greetings to Ugandans and Kenyans.
“As I prepare to visit Kenya and Uganda, I send a word of greetings and friendship to you and your families. I look forward to this time we will have together,” he said.
Like it has been the wish of many Kenyans, the highlight of the Pope’s message to Kenyans and Ugandans will be that of peace and reconciliation.
“I am coming as minister of the gospel to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and his message of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace.”
While in Kenya, the Pope is scheduled to meet 1,200 representatives from 11 slums in Nairobi at St Joseph’s the Worker Catholic Church in Kangemi – one of the slums in Nairobi.
In his message, his compassion for the poor and calls for all societies to attend to the poor and treat them with dignity highlights on the session he will hold with slum dwellers.
“My visit is meant to confirm the Catholic community in its worship of God and its witness to the gospel which teaches the dignity of every man and woman and commands to open our hearts to poor and those in need,” the Pope said.
In his view, every person, whether rich or poor, deserves to be welcomed in the human family which in itself is the love that Jesus Christ preached.
When Capital FM News interacted with the people of Kangemi, they said they were humbled that the pope agreed to visit them despite them living in conditions of abject poverty.
Read: Kangemi humbled and honored to host Pope Francis
With a lot of emphasis on the role of the youth in a society, the Pope says he is looking forward to the interaction with them at the Kasarani Stadium.
“A highlight of my visit will be my meetings with the young people who are your greatest resource and our most promising hope for a future of solidarity, peace and progress,” the pope said.
The Pope has further urged people to pray for his journey in Kenya and Uganda so that he delivers his message of hope to the people.
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