Many thousands of people have been celebrating Mass with Pope Francis at a university campus in Kenya.
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“The pope is down to earth”, said Lucy Musyoka, 48, who braved a downpour to attend open-air Mass in a sodden Nairobi University sports field.
Pope Francis said on Thursday dialogue between religions in Africa was essential to teach young people that violence and hate in God’s name was unjustified, speaking in Kenya which has been the victim of a spate of militant massacres.
In addition to Kenya, the pope is visiting Uganda and the Central African Republic during his six-day African tour.
Abdulghafur El-Busaidy, chairman of the Supreme Council of Kenyan Muslims, echoed the Pope’s call for tolerance.
“It’s important for me to be here because I want to see the Pope and hear his message”, said engineering student Stephen Kola, a Catholic volunteer who was helping out and said he wanted to hear the pontiff’s words on “peace, forgiveness, love and unity”.
He said Christians and Muslims must work together to accommodate one another, and lead the country.
Francis arrived in Nairobi on Wednesday evening to joyous celebrations where he was greeted by choirs and dancers in traditional feather headdresses, bright clothes and beads.
In a morning meeting on November 26 with interreligious and ecumenical leaders at the apostolic nunciature in Nairobi, Kenya, Pope Francis said while ecumenical relationships can be demanding, they are not optional.
“I follow him on Twitter”, said Sophie Ndugu.
But it was Francis’ comments on the pillaging of African resources that drew a louder response from the crowd.
Prior to the celebration, the Pope met representatives of Kenya’s religious groups: Anglicans, other Protestants, Muslims, Sikhs, Hindus and Jews.
“We are called to respect and encourage one another, and to reach out to all those in need”, Pope Francis said.
The country, which has more than 13.8 million Catholics, is served by more than 5,300 religious women, close to 800 religious brothers, some 2,700 diocesan priests, just over 900 religious-order priests and four permanent deacons.
The hashtag #PapalMass has been trending on Twitter in Kenya as people have been reflecting on the event and the pontiff’s message.
Sarah Ondiso, a senior government official, said she came to the grounds with three other people more than five hours before the Mass began but left, fearing a stampede.
He will then head to the Central African Republic, where sectarian conflict between Christians and Muslims has killed hundreds.
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On the flight to Nairobi, NPR’s Sylvia Poggioli says reporters asked the pope if he was nervous as he traveled to regions with security issues.
