Pope Francis, in Kenya, emphasizes missionary discipleship, ecological concern

November 30, 2015

Missionary discipleship, rejection of violence in God’s name, and concern for the environment were among the themes emphasized by Pope Francis in Kenya on November 26 and 27, the second and third days of his apostolic journey to Africa.

During an ecumenical and interreligious meeting in the hall of the apostolic nunciature in Nairobi, Pope Francis spoke about the importance of interreligious dialogue and lamented violence committed in God’s name. Referring to recent incidents of terrorism in Kenya, he said:

I know that the barbarous attacks on Westgate Mall, Garissa University College and Mandera are fresh in your minds. All too often, young people are being radicalized in the name of religion to sow discord and fear, and to tear at the very fabric of our societies. How important it is that we be seen as prophets of peace, peacemakers who invite others to live in peace, harmony and mutual respect!

The Pope then celebrated Mass on the campus of the University of Nairobi. He told the crowd of over 300,000 people that

our faith in God’s word calls us to support families in their mission in society, to accept children as a blessing for our world, and to defend the dignity of each man and woman, for all of us are brothers and sisters in the one human family. In obedience to God’s word, we are also called to resist practices which foster arrogance in men, hurt or demean women, and threaten the life of the innocent unborn.

“As the one Savior of mankind, [Jesus] wishes to draw men and women of every time and place to himself, so that he can bring them to the Father,” he continued. "He wants all of us to build our lives on the firm foundation of his word. And that is the charge which the Lord gives to each of us. He asks us to be missionary disciples, men and women who radiate the truth, beauty and life-changing power of the Gospel.”

Later on November 26, in off-the-cuff remarks to 8,000 priests, religious, and seminarians who had gathered in the sports field of St. Mary’s School of Nairobi, Pope Francis said that priestly and religious vocations come from the initiative of Christ and emphasized the importance of prayer and service. “Letting ourselves be chosen by Jesus means letting ourselves be chosen to serve, and not to be served,” he said.

The Pontiff concluded his public events that day with a visit to the United Nations Office in Nairobi, where he emphasized the importance of addressing environmental concerns. He expressed hope that COP21, the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, will “achieve a global and ‘transformational’ agreement based on the principles of solidarity, justice, equality and participation; an agreement which targets three complex and interdependent goals: lessening the impact of climate change, fighting poverty and ensuring respect for human dignity.”

On November 27, his final day in Kenya, Pope Francis traveled to Kangemi slum in Nairobi and said that “I want you to know that the Lord never forgets you. The path of Jesus began on the peripheries, it goes from the poor and with the poor, towards others.”

While visiting the slum, he also lamented the pressures brought to bear on African countries to lower their birthrates.

Then, during a meeting with youth at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi, the Pope warned against tribalism and corruption, called upon youth to reach out to acquaintances who are in danger of recruitment by armed groups, and encouraged them to look to the cross during times of suffering.

The Pope also revealed that

In my pocket I always carry two things: a rosary, to pray, and something else which may seem a little odd… What is it? It’s the story of God’s failure: it is a little Way of the Cross, the story of how Jesus suffered from the time he was condemned to death until his burial. With these two things, I try to do my best. But thanks to these two things I don’t lose hope.

 

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Further information:

• Apostolic Journey of the Holy Father to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic, 25-30 November 2015 (Holy See)
• Francis in Africa (Vatican Radio)
• Pope arrives in Kenya, beginning 6-day African visit (CWN, 11/25)