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Travelling with the Pope; a journalists’ perspective

And I soon discover that to be true based on the different experiences I got in each of the three countries. From the way we were handled at every airport: Kenya was smooth from the moment we landed in terms of movement from venue to venue, with very meticulous planning by State House officials.

Uganda had its own uniqueness from being asked to go through security checks on landing at the airport and demands for our passports – to shortage of buses to take us into Kampala.

The crowds lining the road from Entebbe to Kampala were however amazing compared to those in Nairobi where it appears people largely stayed at home. CAR was also awe-inspiring given the volatile security situation there and the tension that preceded the Pope’s visit. The crowds were out in full force in the sweltering heat and dust.

In CAR, unlike Kenya and Uganda there was visible heavy presence of security personnel with UN armoured personnel carriers; men in bullet proof jackets and for the first time on the Africa trip, at least two armed security personnel rode in each of the buses that transported us from the airport.

In Nairobi, we stayed at the Villa Rosa Kempinsky. On checking in, we asked about our hold luggage but were calmly told we would find it in our rooms.

In Uganda, and CAR I recall having to go look for it in the lobby several hours after arriving at the hotels. And the difficulty of getting my change after paying for my hotel in Uganda to demands in CAR that one of us had not paid for their room as we were checking out to head back to Rome.

In CAR, I found a torch fitted in the room – signs that electricity supply is not necessarily reliable.

Miguel first covered Pope John Paul II. “I did 51 trips with Pope John Paul II and had lots of years to know him and follow him; he was a fascinating man,” she tells me.

Then came Benedict XVI. “I was fond of Benedict as well; he was different in character – very shy, kind of introspective man. Quite opposite of John Paul II. John Paul II was a sportsman. Benedict hated sports and loved to play the piano and read books and write about theology,” she recalls.

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When it comes to Francis, she describes him as a revolutionary man. “He’s more like a 4×4 Pope. He likes to be in the slums, with the poor people, in the periphery… he is not only saying but he is showing how to do things.”

Miguel wrote a book about Benedict XVI and had a chance to offer it to him personally. “And with Francis I had an interview for an hour,” which is quite rare, I discover.

I personally had my first encounter with the Pope as we entered African airspace.

Soon after we had finished our breakfast, there was movement from the front of the plane. As the Pope’s security men made their way to the back of the plane, cameramen quickly assumed positions.

A few minutes later, the director of the Holy See Press Office Father Federico Lombardi showed up and seconds later, a smiling Pope Francis followed.

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