UGANDA: Pope Francis Expresses Gratitude to Ugandans for their Warm Welcome
Before his final departure from
Entebbe International Airport, Uganda Sunday morning on November 29, 2015, Pope
Francis expressed his sincere gratitude to Ugandans for their cordial welcome
during his visit in the country.
The Holy Father, who arrived in
Uganda on November 27 for an apostolic journey, mentioned his appreciation to
the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Most Rev. John Baptist
Odama, just a few minutes before boarding his airplane Shepherd One.
Uganda on November 27 for an apostolic journey, mentioned his appreciation to
the Chairman of the Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), Most Rev. John Baptist
Odama, just a few minutes before boarding his airplane Shepherd One.
“Before the Holy Father boarded
the plane to travel to Central African Republic (CAR), he gave me the following
message to deliver to you; “I thank the Bishops and the People of Uganda for
welcoming me warmly and please pray for me,” Archbishop Odama, who is also the
Archbishop of Gulu, spoke on behalf of the UEC in a press statement.
the plane to travel to Central African Republic (CAR), he gave me the following
message to deliver to you; “I thank the Bishops and the People of Uganda for
welcoming me warmly and please pray for me,” Archbishop Odama, who is also the
Archbishop of Gulu, spoke on behalf of the UEC in a press statement.
Pope Francis, who visited Uganda for three-days,
was moved by the huge crowd that lined up along the road, right from Entebbe to
Munyonyo in the evening of his arrival on 27th November 2015 and
other places that he visited.
was moved by the huge crowd that lined up along the road, right from Entebbe to
Munyonyo in the evening of his arrival on 27th November 2015 and
other places that he visited.
“He was so happy and moved to see so many people
waving to him, chanting his name and yearning to shake his hand wherever he
went. You truly touched the Holy Father’s heart and he is very grateful for
your hospitality and love,” the statement read in part.
waving to him, chanting his name and yearning to shake his hand wherever he
went. You truly touched the Holy Father’s heart and he is very grateful for
your hospitality and love,” the statement read in part.
During his visit in the country Pope Francis
visited Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, Namugongo Shrine, a home for the destitute
called Nalukolongo, Rubaga Cathedral and finally Kololo Airstrip where he held
a historic meeting with the youths.
visited Munyonyo Martyrs Shrine, Namugongo Shrine, a home for the destitute
called Nalukolongo, Rubaga Cathedral and finally Kololo Airstrip where he held
a historic meeting with the youths.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Odama also expressed his
utmost appreciation to the Holy Father on behalf of the UEC and the Catholic
Church in Uganda for his honoring visit and for blessing the nation with the
gift of a new Bishop for Hoima Diocese, Rev. Vincent Kirabo.
utmost appreciation to the Holy Father on behalf of the UEC and the Catholic
Church in Uganda for his honoring visit and for blessing the nation with the
gift of a new Bishop for Hoima Diocese, Rev. Vincent Kirabo.
He further thanked the Church Subcommittees that were
headed by the Bishops, the Staff of Uganda Catholic Secretariat, the engineers,
the constructors, the fundraising teams, various individuals, institutions and
dioceses among other people that made contributions and participated in the
preparations for the historic visit of the Holy Father.
headed by the Bishops, the Staff of Uganda Catholic Secretariat, the engineers,
the constructors, the fundraising teams, various individuals, institutions and
dioceses among other people that made contributions and participated in the
preparations for the historic visit of the Holy Father.
“We are deeply grateful to all the people of
Uganda for showing such great love to the Pope and we appreciate the Catholic
faithful in Uganda, our brothers and sisters of the Church of Uganda and indeed
all people of good will for the prayers, collaboration and support,” said
Archbishop Odama.
Uganda for showing such great love to the Pope and we appreciate the Catholic
faithful in Uganda, our brothers and sisters of the Church of Uganda and indeed
all people of good will for the prayers, collaboration and support,” said
Archbishop Odama.
He also expressed his gratitude to the Government
of Uganda led by His Excellency President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni for the
financial and logistical support.
“We commend the excellent work of the heads
and staff of various governmental institutions who worked tirelessly to ensure
that the visit of His Holiness was peaceful, orderly, and colourful,” read the
statement in section.
The Archbishop concluded by calling upon everyone to
continue praying for the Holy Father so that his message of love, unity, reconciliation,
forgiveness and peace bears fruit in the country and indeed in the entire
world.
continue praying for the Holy Father so that his message of love, unity, reconciliation,
forgiveness and peace bears fruit in the country and indeed in the entire
world.
“May our Blessed Mother Mary and the Holy Martyrs
of Uganda always intercede for us, and may you have a Blessed Christmas and a
Happy New Year,” the statement concluded.
of Uganda always intercede for us, and may you have a Blessed Christmas and a
Happy New Year,” the statement concluded.
By Jacinta W.
Odongo; Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
Odongo; Media Officer, Uganda Episcopal Conference
