Pope arrives in Central African Republic

But in a statement before the visit, the pope made his intentions clear: “I wish with all my heart that my visit can contribute…to dressing the wounds and opening the way to a more serene future for Central African Republic and all its inhabitants”.

He urged the faithful to emulate the example of the 45 Anglican and Catholic martyrs. “Consequently, it is a sure compass for authorities called to guide the destiny of the country”.

“Central Africans have inflicted unspeakable suffering on other Central Africans”, she said. He knows that things have happened in our country and maybe he has come to ask God to save us, ‘ said Fidele Nodjindorom who lives in a camp for the displaced that the pope is due to visit.

The Vatican’s spokesman said Saturday Francis” itinerary had been confirmed and all is expected to go ahead as planned, “if there are no particular surprises’.

“Peace without love and forgiveness isn’t possible”, Francis said.

His speech followed a similarly emphatic one before the U.N. General Assembly in NY in September, and in various speeches on his travels to South America and Asia.

Honoring the martyrs is not something to be done only on their feast day, he said, but must be done daily through upright behavior and loving care for others in the family, the neighborhood, at work and in society.

“Ask for the grace never to forget but to keep alive their memory”, Pope Francis said.

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Fighting began when the Seleka, a mainly Muslim rebel group, staged a coup in 2013, installing a Muslim president and terrorising Christians.

The mass at the shrine – which attracts thousands of pilgrims each year from Uganda and neighbouring countries – marked the 50th anniversary of the canonisation of the Catholic martyrs by Pope Paul VI.

Security will be tight after recent killings by both Christian and Muslim militia.

Once Samba-Panza called for national elections in October, the war momentarily died down.

“Everything has been done to ensure the safety of the pope… there is no real threat”, said CAR Public Security Minister Chrysostome Sambia, although he admitted there have been reports of “ill-intentioned groups in some areas”.

Security in the Central African Republic has largely been provided since 2014 by a some-10,000-strong United Nations force.

An indicator of his determination emerged on the flight from Rome to Nairobi when, talking with the pilots of the Alitalia plane that he is using on this trip, Francis in his humorous way told them, “if you don’t want to take me to Bangui then give me a parachute and I will parachute in!” The French Ministry of Defense had warned the Vatican against the visit to France’s former colony, and even the Vatican’s secretary of state, Italian Cardinal Pietro Parolin, had hinted that the visit could be canceled.

If the aim is to bring all sides together, Pope Francis has achieved that simply through the planning process.

The Central African Republic is the last stop of his November 25-30 trip to Africa. The capital’s Muslim population has dropped from about 122,000 to just 15,000 or so, according to Human Rights Watch. Mudge says that today, most of those left are heavily armed and ready to take revenge on anyone who attacks Muslims.

From early morning to late evening, Saturday Nov. 28, Pope Francis highlighted in different ways the cost of Christian discipleship, yesterday and today, in this land that is known as “the pearl of Africa”.