Pope’s Africa visit becomes a pilgrimage for peace

Pope Francis launched the Church’s jubilee Year of Mercy in the conflict-ridden Central African Republic (CAR) calling on people to forgive their enemies and lay down weapons, write Christopher Lamb and Fredrick Nzwili.

His first visit to Africa – which included Kenya and Uganda – had a strong peace and reconciliation theme. During his stay in Uganda, the Pope met with the President of South Sudan, Salvatore Kiir, for 15 minutes at State House in Entebbe to discuss efforts for peace in the country which is in the midst of a civil war.

It was a break with protocol as normally Popes do not meet heads of state other than those of the country they are visiting. Kiir is a Catholic who attends Mass and often takes the opportunity to address the congregation. Political differences between the leader and his former deputy Riek Machar have shaped into a full-blown conflict.

In Bangui, the capital of CAR, Francis opened the Holy Door of the Cathedral – marking the beginning the jubilee year which officially starts on 8 December – where he made an appeal for peace. “Bangui is the spiritual capital of the prayer for God’s mercy. Together let us pray for peace, mercy, reconciliation, forgiveness, love. For Bangui, for all of the Central African Republic and for the entire world and everyone who suffers from war, we ask for peace.”

During his visit to CAR, the Pope met with the interim president of the country, Catherine Samba-Panza. She had hoped that Francis’ visit would be the start of a peace process in the country.

During his visit, Francis did not mention the hot-button issues of gay rights or the use of condoms. Asked about the latter on the in-flight press conference home, and whether the Church should relax its ban on contraception, he cited the gospel story of when Jesus healed on the Sabbath and was criticised for doing so. While some might apply the story to mean that the Church should relax its ban on condoms, the Pope interpreted it as those suffering must be helped first, then there can be a debate about the use of condoms.

“I don’t like making such casuistical reflections when there are people dying from a lack of water and from hunger,” he said.