Catholic bishops in Africa have expressed gratitude to Pope Francis for his recent pastoral pilgrimage to Africa.
During his mission, Pope Francis, who was accompanied by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, took a message of peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan, both riven by conflict.
In their statement, issued under the auspices of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences in Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), the bishops reflected on the visit and its effects.
“Africa is happy and grateful for this fourth apostolic visit of the Holy Father to the continent,” they said.
“In fact, through his visit to these two countries, Africa experienced unforgettable days with Pope Francis,” said the bishops' message, signed by the SECAM secretary general, Fr Rafael Simbine Jnr.
It said that the pastoral visit had once again shown the great love that Pope Francis has for Africa, adding: “Even though frail, he wanted joy”. Francis had been forced to postpone his visit, first scheduled for last summer, due to mobility problems.
The message continued: “Joy and deep gratitude are the feelings of the African people after the historic visit of the Holy Father, Pope Francis.”
The bishops expressed their happiness that the Holy Father was ready to visit and pass his message of hope to both DR Congo and South Sudan despite his poor health.
As he ended his historic peace message mission in South Sudan, Pope Francis made an appeal: “In the name of Jesus and of his Beatitudes, let us lay down the weapons of hatred and revenge, to take up those of prayer and charity.”
He added: “I gather here with you in the name of Jesus Christ, the God of love, the God who achieved peace through his cross.”
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