After returning from his recent trip to Africa, Pope Francis has spoken at a general audience about his hope for peace in the continent, according to Vatican Radio.
Vatican Radio has published the Pope’s full summary on his trip, which you can read here:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: My recent Apostolic Journey to Africa brought me to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic with a message of hope in the Risen Jesus.
In Kenya, a country blessed with great human and natural resources, I spoke of the worldwide challenge of protecting the environment and creating equitable, inclusive and sustainable models of development, and the need to form our young in the ways of peace and fraternity,
In Uganda, the land of the Martyrs, I encouraged the Christian community to persevere in its witness of faith and charity, and thus to be a leaven of hope for society as a whole.
In the Central African Republic, a country experiencing internal conflicts and great suffering, I opened the first Holy Door of the Jubilee of Mercy as a sign of hope and strength for its people and for all our brothers and sisters in Africa.
I ask you to join me in commending them and all their aspirations to Jesus, our peace, who is himself the door which opens wide to the merciful love of our heavenly Father.
Pope Francis’ visited the Central African Republic to witness at first hand the ongoing tension between Christians and Muslims in the country, which has exploded into violence.
He called on both sides involved in the conflict to lay down their arms, saying that Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters and must act as such.
While in Kenya, Pope Francis urged Kenyans to stand up against the corrosive effects of tribalism, and he held a mass in Uganda dedicated to the country’s Christian martyrs.
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