Pope arrives in Kenya, beginning 6-day African visit

November 25, 2015

Pope Francis arrived in Nairobi, Kenya on November 25 to begin a 6-day visit to Africa.

In his first major address on African soil, the Pope called for cooperative action to raise standards of living while protecting the natural habitat. “Experience shows that violence, conflict and terrorism feed on fear, mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and frustration,” he said.

After a short welcoming ceremony at the airport, the Pope rode into Nairobi, where he was formally greeted by President Uhuru Kenyatta. The Kenyan leader spoke about overcoming legacies of colonialism, patterns of tribalism, and the “vices of corruption, which sacrifices people and our environment in the pursuit of illegal profit.”

The Pope, in his address, spoke about the need for African leaders who will encourage young people and “promote responsible models of economic development.” Having remarked on the extraordinary beauty of Kenya, he added: “The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature.

Pope Francis earned thunderous applause from the crowd when he concluded his remarks with a single sentence in Swahili: “God bless Kenya!”

From Kenya the Pope is due to continue on to Uganda, then conclude his African journey with a visit to the Central African Republic. The persistent violence in the Central African Republic has raised questions about the security of the papal visit, and even as he arrived in Africa some observers questioned whether the visit could be abbreviated.

During the flight from Rome to Nairobi, the Pope met briefly with reporters, and laughed off questions about security concerns during the trip. “All I’m worried about are the mosquitoes,” the Pope said.

Following the usual practice for a traveling Pontiff, Pope Francis sent telegrams of greeting to the heads of state of each of the countries his plane passed over on the route to Kenya: Italy, Greece, Egypt, Ethiopia, and Kenya itself. In each message the Pope offered his prayers for peace and for the welfare of the nation’s people.

Many media outlets offered reports on the strengths and weaknesses of the African Church that the Pope will encounter. The Wall Street Journal gave a balanced report on the phenomenal growth of Catholicism in Africa, including some perspective on the lingering influence of pagan practices.

 

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Further information:

• Pope Francis arrives in Nairobi at start of his African visit (Vatican Radio)
• Pope in Kenya: Terrorism and violence feed on poverty and fear (Rome Reports)
• Pope urges respect among religious and ethnic groups as he arrives in Kenya (CNS)
• Pope in Africa: “All I’m worried about are the mosquitos” (Vatican Insider)
• The Pope greets victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, before commencing his eleventh apostolic trip (VIS)
• Pope Francis sends telegrams to nations on flight to Africa (Vatican Radio)
• In Africa, a Booming Catholic Church, and its Growing Pains, to Greet Pope Francis (Wall Street Journal)