VATICAN: Secretary of State and his Deputy to accompany Pope Francis on his visit to Kenya, Uganda and CAR
Pope
Francis will be accompanied by Cardinal Secretary of State H.E. Pietro
Parolin, his deputy Angelo Becciu and the Cardinals Filoni and Turkson,
respectively prefect the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and
President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace on his first
apostolic journey to Africa on the morning of Wednesday 25 November.
Francis will be accompanied by Cardinal Secretary of State H.E. Pietro
Parolin, his deputy Angelo Becciu and the Cardinals Filoni and Turkson,
respectively prefect the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and
President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace on his first
apostolic journey to Africa on the morning of Wednesday 25 November.
Together
with them other people in the trip to Africa include masters of ceremonies,
other Vatican staff, some 75 journalists and security personnel.
with them other people in the trip to Africa include masters of ceremonies,
other Vatican staff, some 75 journalists and security personnel.
Speaking
on Thursday morning at a Press Conference in the Vatican, Press Office Director
Fr Federico Lombardi said for Jorge Mario Bergoglio it will be a first time in
Africa, and not only as Pope.
on Thursday morning at a Press Conference in the Vatican, Press Office Director
Fr Federico Lombardi said for Jorge Mario Bergoglio it will be a first time in
Africa, and not only as Pope.
At
the heart of his 6-day journey, taking him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African
Republic is his desire to bring a message of peace, reconciliation, dialogue
and the impetus to overcome internal divisions.
the heart of his 6-day journey, taking him to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African
Republic is his desire to bring a message of peace, reconciliation, dialogue
and the impetus to overcome internal divisions.
This
Apostolic visit will be Francis’ 11th journey abroad, but Lombardi pointed out:
two Popes have been to these very countries before him.
Apostolic visit will be Francis’ 11th journey abroad, but Lombardi pointed out:
two Popes have been to these very countries before him.
The
first was Blessed Paul VI who visited Uganda in 1969. Then it was the turn of
Saint John Paul II who visited some 42 African nations during his pontificate
including Kenya in 1980, in 1985 and in 1995; Uganda in 1993; and Central
African Republic in 1975.
first was Blessed Paul VI who visited Uganda in 1969. Then it was the turn of
Saint John Paul II who visited some 42 African nations during his pontificate
including Kenya in 1980, in 1985 and in 1995; Uganda in 1993; and Central
African Republic in 1975.
Pope
Francis is scheduled to spend one and a half days in each country; in Nairobi,
Kampala and Bangui he will celebrate Mass with the faithful, hold meetings with
political and religious authorities, exchange views with the bishops, spend
time with the poor and the needy, meet with the youth, participate in
ecumenical encounters.
Francis is scheduled to spend one and a half days in each country; in Nairobi,
Kampala and Bangui he will celebrate Mass with the faithful, hold meetings with
political and religious authorities, exchange views with the bishops, spend
time with the poor and the needy, meet with the youth, participate in
ecumenical encounters.
In
Kenya he will also address leaders and staff of the United Nations; in Uganda
he will celebrate the Ugandan martyrs; in war-torn CAR he will open Bangui
Cathedral’s Holy Door in a powerful gesture leading up to the Jubilee Year of
Mercy.
Kenya he will also address leaders and staff of the United Nations; in Uganda
he will celebrate the Ugandan martyrs; in war-torn CAR he will open Bangui
Cathedral’s Holy Door in a powerful gesture leading up to the Jubilee Year of
Mercy.
One
of Pope Francis’ last commitments before he boards the Papal plane bringing him
back to Rome on November 30, will be a visit to Bangui’s Central Mosque for a
meeting with the Muslim community.
of Pope Francis’ last commitments before he boards the Papal plane bringing him
back to Rome on November 30, will be a visit to Bangui’s Central Mosque for a
meeting with the Muslim community.
SOURCE: Vatican Radio
