VATICAN: Pope Francis speaks about his Apostolic voyage to Africa
In his weekly general audience, Pope Francis told
those present about his recent trip to Africa and spoke about the importance of
missionary work.
those present about his recent trip to Africa and spoke about the importance of
missionary work.
Speaking in St Peter’s Square on Wednesday
morning, he emphasized the value of living one’s life in the way of Christ by
helping others.
morning, he emphasized the value of living one’s life in the way of Christ by
helping others.
The Holy Father began his catechesis by thanking
God for enabling him to travel to Africa. He expressed his “heartfelt” thanks
to all those who had helped organize the trip.
God for enabling him to travel to Africa. He expressed his “heartfelt” thanks
to all those who had helped organize the trip.
Pope Francis first spoke about Nairobi, the biggest
city in Eastern Africa, where “wealth and poverty live side by side”. He said
“this is a scandal!… the coexistence of wealth and poverty is a scandal, a
true disgrace to humanity”. He said he had encouraged the diplomats, religious
leaders and young people to “treasure their country’s natural and spiritual
riches: from the earth’s natural resources to the new generations”.
city in Eastern Africa, where “wealth and poverty live side by side”. He said
“this is a scandal!… the coexistence of wealth and poverty is a scandal, a
true disgrace to humanity”. He said he had encouraged the diplomats, religious
leaders and young people to “treasure their country’s natural and spiritual
riches: from the earth’s natural resources to the new generations”.
The Holy Father expressed joy at having been able
to proclaim Christ’s message of hope: “Be steadfast in your faith, do not be afraid”.
to proclaim Christ’s message of hope: “Be steadfast in your faith, do not be afraid”.
Reflecting on his visit to Uganda, Pope Francis
spoke about the Ugandan martyrs, who had been canonized by Paul VI fifty years
ago.
spoke about the Ugandan martyrs, who had been canonized by Paul VI fifty years
ago.
On the final leg of his journey, Pope Francis went
to the Central African Republic, “the heart of Africa”. The Pope said it was
his primary intention to visit CAR, since it is a country emerging from a very
difficult period, characterized by violence and suffering. This is why, he
explained, he began the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Bangui.
to the Central African Republic, “the heart of Africa”. The Pope said it was
his primary intention to visit CAR, since it is a country emerging from a very
difficult period, characterized by violence and suffering. This is why, he
explained, he began the Jubilee Year of Mercy in Bangui.
The Holy Father concluded with a personal
anecdote. He spoke of his meeting with
an 81 year-old sister, who had lived in Bangui since she was 23. He recalled
her story: “I am a nurse; I studied a bit here and became a midwife and I have
delivered 3,280 babies”. “This is what missionaries are like: brave”, said the
Pope.
anecdote. He spoke of his meeting with
an 81 year-old sister, who had lived in Bangui since she was 23. He recalled
her story: “I am a nurse; I studied a bit here and became a midwife and I have
delivered 3,280 babies”. “This is what missionaries are like: brave”, said the
Pope.
He addressed the young members of the congregation
saying “Please do not write off the possibility of becoming a missionary, of
spreading love, humanity and faith in other countries”.
saying “Please do not write off the possibility of becoming a missionary, of
spreading love, humanity and faith in other countries”.
Source: Vatican Radio
