Pray for lacerated world Pope asks as he sends prayers to Mali and prepares for Kenya, Uganda and CAR visit

Pope Francis said that he was "appalled by the senseless violence" in Mali and expressed his condolences for the attack on a hotel in Bamako that killed at least 22 peoplelast Friday and asked people to pray for a lacerated world.

Speaking at the Angelus in St Peter's Square, Francis said: "Before so many lacerations in the world and too many wounds on the flesh of humanity, let us ask the Virgin Mary to support us in our commitment to imitate Jesus, our king, making his kingdom present with gestures of tenderness, understanding and mercy."

The Pope's words came the same day he had a telegram sent to the people of Mali, expressing his condolences and spiritual closeness to those affected by the latest deadly attacks there. At least 22 people were killed 20 November when gunmen raided a luxury hotel in Bamako and held 170 people hostage.

The telegram, sent on the pope's behalf by Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Vatican secretary of state, said the pope strongly condemned and was "appalled by this senseless violence."

"The Pope implores God for the conversion of hearts and the gift of peace and invokes an abundance of divine blessings on all those affected by this tragedy," said the telegram, which was sent to Archbishop Jean Zerbo of Bamako.

At the end of the midday Angelus appointment in St. Peter's Square, the pope also asked people pray for his visit to Kenya, Uganda and Central African Republic between 25-30 November.

POPE FRANCIS' VIDEO MESSAGE TO PEOPLE OF KENYA AND UGANDA 

He prayed the trip - his first to Africa - would be "a sign of closeness and love. Let us together ask Our Lady to bless these beloved lands, so that there would be peace and prosperity." 

Pope Francis also sent a video message to the people of Kenya and Uganda, saying he was coming as "a minister of the Gospel".

Francis said: "I am coming as a minister of the Gospel to proclaim the love of Jesus Christ and his message of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace.

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"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."

In a message to the large Muslim population in the three countries he is visiting, Pope Francis added: "At the same time 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 our one human family.

"For all of us are God’s children."

Pope Francis arrives in Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi on Wednesday at 5pm local time. He will then travel to Uganda on Friday afternoon and then on to the Central African Republic on Sunday morning before flying back to Rome on Monday 30 November.