Vatican City, 23 November 2015 (VIS) –
This morning Pope Francis' video messages filmed in preparation for
his apostolic visit to Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic
from 25 to 30 November were broadcast in the three countries.
In the message destined for Kenya and
Uganda, after greeting the families of both countries, the Holy
Father says, “I am coming as a minister of the Gospel, to proclaim
the love of Jesus Christ and His message of reconciliation,
forgiveness and peace. My visit is meant to confirm the Catholic
community in its worship of God and its witness to the Gospel, which
teaches the dignity of every man and woman, and commands us to open
our hearts to others, especially the poor and those in need”.
“At the same time”, he continues,
“I wish to encounter all the people of Kenya and Uganda, and to
offer everyone a word of encouragement. We are living at a time when
religious believers, and persons of good will everywhere, are called
to foster mutual understanding and respect, and to support each other
as members of one human family. For all of us are God's children. A
highlight of my visit will be my meetings with young people, who are
your greatest resource and our most promising hope for a future of
solidarity, peace and progress”.
In his message to the Central African
Republic, the Holy Father greets all members of the population with
affection and joy, regardless of their ethnic origin or religion. “It
will be the first time in my life that I come to the African
continent, so beautiful and so rich in its nature, people and
cultures; and I look forward to great discoveries and enriching
encounters”, he reveals.
“Your country has for too long now
experienced a situation of violence and insecurity, of which many of
you are innocent victims. The objective of my visit is, first and
foremost, to bring you, in the name of Jesus, the comfort of
consolation and hope. With all my heart I hope that my visit may
contribute, in one way or another, to healing your wounds, and
opening the way to a brighter future for Central Africa and all her
inhabitants”.
“The theme of this trip will be:
passing to the other side. It is a theme which invites your Christian
communities to look resolutely ahead, and to encourage each person to
renew his relationship with God and his brothers, to build a more
just and fraternal world. I will have the joy of opening for you –
a little in advance – the Jubilee Year of Mercy, which will I hope
offer a providential opportunity for authentic forgiveness, for
giving and receiving, and for rebirth in love”.
“I come to you as a messenger of
peace”, he concludes. “I wish to support interreligious dialogue
to foster peaceful coexistence in your country; I know this is
possible, as we are all brothers”.
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