Francis’ visit to Africa about reconciliation

During the quarter century of his papacy, St. John Paul II travelled to 42 African countries and earned the nickname “the African”.

In Uganda, where homosexuality is still criminalised under a colonial-era law, and where attacks against gays have forced many to flee overseas or lead secret lives at home, gay leaders hope Francis will bring a firm message of tolerance.

Before vehicle, Pope Francis will travel to Kenya and Uganda, where a respective 32% and 47% of the populations are Catholic.

“Kenyans actually need that reconciliation”, said Okello, an organizer of the papal visit.

Vatican city has no armed forces of its own, although the Swiss Guard is the military corps of the Holy See, responsible for the personal security of the Pope…

Guinea has not been attacked or threatened by Islamic extremists so far.

“God weeps”, the pope concluded, “Jesus weeps”, for those whose sole goal on this planet is to wage war, but who cynically deny that that’s their intent.

“How do you accommodate mercy and war?”

Joseph Ntuwa is the parish secretary at Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church.

While Francis has not changed Catholic dogma on homosexuality and has reaffirmed the church’s opposition to same-sex marriage, his more inclusive approach has cheered many gay Catholics while annoying conservatives. In 2010, about 63 percent of people in sub-Saharan Africa were Christian, according to a Pew Research Center study.

Monsignor Abel Gabuza, a South African bishop, hopes Francis will energize African Catholics with his message of inclusiveness and concern for the less fortunate.

But he has also denounced what he calls the “ideological colonisation” of the developing world, a reference to the way wealthy nations and non-governmental organisations condition development aid on Western ideas about contraception and human rights.

Festive Christmas celebrations seem hypocritical in light of the violence, bloodshed, and hate that plague the world, says the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church. “LOVE EVERYONE” The lightning progress of gay rights in much of America and Europe, where same-sex couples can marry and adopt children, has encouraged gay Africans but hardened attitudes of those who object to the idea on religious grounds.

The police in Africa’s biggest coffee exporter has “integrated several security agencies including the army, intelligence services, prisons” to reinforce safety during the Pope’s visit which ends on Sunday, Polly Namaye, Uganda police spokeswoman, said Monday by phone from the capital, Kampala.