Streets have been newly paved, banners hung by the highways, and Pope Francis branded merchandise is for sale.
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According to a study by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA) at Georgetown University, the number of Catholics in all of Africa could more than double to 460 million by 2040.
MultiChoice Africa is set to bring DStv and GOtv subscribers the live coverage of Pope Francis’ first visit to Africa since he was elected Head of State of the Vatican City, and 266th Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. Some Catholic priests have left the church rather than follow a vow of celibacy, and polygamy is practiced in some parts of Africa.
“Let us pass to the other side” is the theme of the visit, the Pope observed in the vehicle video message.
While the topic of responsible leadership may come up in his sermons and speeches, he is not one to criticize leaders directly, as U.S. President Barack Obama did in his recent trip to Kenya, where he raised the issue of government corruption as an impediment to growth and stability.
Namugongo – An official with the Catholic Church in Uganda says more than 2 million people are expected to converge near a minor basilica in the Ugandan capital where Pope Francis will celebrate Mass on Saturday. In Uganda, where homosexuality is illegal and where attacks against gays have forced many to flee overseas or lead secret lives, gay leaders nevertheless hope Francis when he comes on Friday will weigh in with a firm message of tolerance.
Barbara, whose diocese is about 300 miles east of Nairobi, said he also hoped Francis would use his meeting with the Kenyan episcopate to “speak about unity among the Bishops in front of national problems”.
Asked about the symbolism of the pope visiting the three African countries together, Acayo said “he desires to visit the most suffering and give hope to people of these countries which have experienced a lot of internal and external conflicts”.
On Monday, a new poll published by Infotrak showed that nine out of 10 Kenyans, Catholic or otherwise, were looking forward to Francis’ visit.
Mugisha, the gay activist, believes a message of compassion from Francis might challenge local church leaders to be less hostile toward those who are openly gay.
The situation remains volatile in the country – including in the capital Bangui where Francis is due to spend a little over 24 hours – and the insecurity may cause the auto leg of the pope’s Africa tour to be cancelled. I expect that the Pope will call attention to the scandal of a world where many people lack the basics while others have much more then they need.
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Likewise, Kenya’s Daily Nation said in an editorial on Monday that a visit “from this particular pope is a moment to savour”. “Seeing him shake hands and pray with Muslim leaders would go a long way towards encouraging inter-faith dialogue”, says Bunkers of Catholic Relief Services, which promotes such dialogues among divided communities throughout Africa.
