Pope: There are Bigger Issues Than Condoms and HIV

Pope Francis made a historic visit to the last remaining Muslim neighborhood in Central African Republic’s capital Monday, a move that nearly immediately opened up a part of the divided city troubled for months by retaliatory violence between Muslim and Christian militias.

More than 100, 000 muslims fled the capital as a result of the fighting but 15, 000 are left in an area called PK5, according to the campaign group Human Rights Watch.

“Those who claim to believe in God must also be men and women of peace”.

Allen said that, in spite of the risks, Pope Francis had been highly motivated to visit the Central African Republic, likely out of a conviction that “this was a place, uniquely, where perhaps a Christian spiritual leader could move the ball in the direction of peace”.

Healing rifts between Christian and Muslim communities has been a theme throughout Francis’ first visit to the continent, which has also seen him visit Kenya and Uganda. “It’s a martyr of exploitation over history”, Pope Francis said.

“We ask for peace for Central African Republic and for all people who suffer from war”. In comments to the chief imam, Francis insisted that Muslims and Christians are brothers and must behave as such.

Perched high on the mosque’s minarets were armed United Nations peacekeepers from the MINUSCA force who were keeping a close eye on the crowds as a helicopter buzzed overhead.

His message – and the fact that he actually visited the country despite significant security concerns – struck a chord with locals and drew pledges of peace and forgiveness.

“Christians and Muslims and members of traditional religions have lived peacefully for many years”, the pontiff said.

“I don’t like getting into questions or reflections that are so technical when people die because they don’t have water or food or housing”, he said.

Nicole Ouabangue, whose husband was hacked to death with an axe, said she had heard many speeches before but the pope’s words were “different”.

Pope Francis wraps up his tour with a Mass for tens of thousands of Catholics at the country’s national stadium before returning to Rome.

“The violence that has plagued this country has had a devastating impact on the lives of children”, said UNICEF’s Representative in the Central African Republic, Mohamed Fall adding that to meet the overwhelming humanitarian needs, access and greater global support are essential.

The coup triggered a wave of violence between Muslim rebels and Christian “anti-balaka” militias, plunging the former French colony into its worst crisis since independence in 1960.

Thousands of people have been killed and hundreds of thousands displaced since the ouster of President Francois Bozize, a Christian, by a predominantly Muslim coalition of rebels in 2013, plunging the country of 5 million people into chaos.

According to Catholic tradition, passing through such a “holy door” during a Jubilee Year allows worshippers to be forgiven their sins.