Pope Francis to visit Africa for first time next week

And of more immediate concern to the Vatican, violence between Muslims and Christians in the Central African Republic has raised concerns about security on Francis’ trip. “There will be lights, there will be parties, bright trees, even Nativity scenes-all decked out-while the world continues to wage war”, he said.

The force will conduct air surveillance with aircraft equipped with cameras acquired in preparations for the pontiff’s visit, Namaye said.

Frank Mugisha, director of Sexual Minorities Uganda and one of the country’s most outspoken advocates for gay rights, said he hoped the Pope would bring a message that gays and lesbians should be “treated like any other children of God”.

The latter threat, which struck Paris on November 13 with an attack claimed by Islamic State, and then Mali on Friday, will be a key theme of the pope’s trip this week to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic – and a potential security risk for the pope. During his first visit to the USA two months ago, President Barack Obama recognized the contribution of Pope Francis toward normalization of US-Cuba relations.

The poll also found that Pope Francis is admired across all religions for his optimism, humility and more inclusive tone that has rubbed off on the Catholic Church, giving it a high approval rating in Kenya.

Despite the challenges, Africa is a place of promise for the Catholic Church, which has withered in Europe and the Americas because of increasing secularism and competing evangelical and Protestant churches. In 2010, 63 percent of people in sub-Saharan Africa were Christian, according to a Pew Research Center study. “His teachings are described as very strategic, tackling sensitive issues satirically and consolidating the Catholic church as well as other denominations”, said Infotrak Chief Executive Officer Angela Ambitho. Gay sex is illegal in a number of African countries and discrimination against homosexuals is widespread through the continent.

While it’s a jarring message at the start of the holiday season, it wasn’t out of the ordinary for Francis.

A government spokesman, Shaban Bantariza, said: “We hope the Pope’s message will not diverge from the core beliefs of Ugandans”. “But I would think if the Pope was here and talking about love, compassion and equality for everyone, Ugandans will listen”.

David Kuria, a well-known Kenyan gay rights activist, did not hesitate when asked about the message he would give to the pope ahead of the visit. “He wants you to understand how not to do things by not doing things himself”.