In what had been a no-man’s land separating the Muslim enclave from the rest of the city only the day before, thousands crossed over into the area chanting “war is over” in the local Sango language after the pope’s departure.
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“They were predicting an apocalypse but not a single shot was sacked”, said Dieudonne Nzapalainga, archbishop of Bangui, the capital of the impoverished former French colony.
The Muslims who live on the grounds of Nary’s church may now venture out occasionally into town, though they always return at night because of the precarious security that still reigns, he said.
The pope also toured Uganda, where he visited a shrine that memorializes the 19th-century Christian martyrs who were burned alive for their faith. With meme-worthy photo of Pope Francis gripping a microphone alongside hip-hop lyrics inspired by His Holiness.
It’s to be hoped that the message was heeded by the throngs that came out to greet the Pope.
The Central African Republic is convulsed since 2013 of a conflict, where Muslim rebels and Christian militias face off. The country was plunged in March 2013 after a coup against President François Bozizé in a spiral of violence.
The conflict has devolved into a cycle of brutal killings and reprisals. Lodging in the form of decent housing and access to clean water are bedrocks to improve standards of living, he said. When Francis spoke at the mosque, he condemned that sectarian violence. “Together, we say no to hatred, to vengeance and violence, especially that committed in the name of a religion or God”, The Associated Press quoted Francis as saying.
Two years of Christian-Muslim violence has divided the capital and forced almost one million people to flee their homes. The group traveled two times to the Vatican to make its case.
“We are very proud to welcome him, the pope is not only for the Christians, he is a servant of God for all Central Africans”, said Ibrahim Paulin, a spokesman for the displaced.
On Sunday, Francis opened a “holy door” at Bangui Cathedral, marking the symbolic beginning of a Jubilee Year dedicated to forgiveness and reconciliation. Thousands of people gathered at the roadside, cheering as the papal entourage drove down red dirt roads.
“The pope is here!”
For too long, too many Central Africans have been suffering, the pope said.
“To all those who make unjust use of the weapons of this world, I make this appeal: Lay down these instruments of death!”
According to the Pew Research Center, Africa has the fastest-growing population of Catholics and Muslims in the world, with both Islam and Christianity expected to have more than twice as many adherents in the region by 2050 as they did in 2010.
“If a young woman or man has no work, cannot study, what can he or she do?”
Despite the tight security, the visit took place in a relaxed atmosphere. It has asked Pope Franziskus during his visit to the Central African Republic. But during his first day in a city that has been brutally segregated along religious lines, Francis saw nearly only Christians.
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He dismissed this however as “not the problem” and said it reminded him of the question asked Jesus, “Tell me, teacher, is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
