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| Dialogue between religions essential, says pope on first day of African tour | Dialogue between religions essential, says pope on first day of African tour |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Pope Francis has called on Christians and Muslims to engage in an essential dialogue of peace in the face of religious radicalisation and “barbarous” attacks as he began the first full day of his three-nation trip to Africa. | Pope Francis has called on Christians and Muslims to engage in an essential dialogue of peace in the face of religious radicalisation and “barbarous” attacks as he began the first full day of his three-nation trip to Africa. |
| The pope met a small group of faith leaders in Nairobi before a public open-air mass, attended by around 300,000 people in the pouring rain and amid tight security. | |
| Religion could never be used to justify violence, the pope told Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish representatives. “All too often, young people are being radicalised in the name of religion to sow discord and fear, and to tear at the very fabric of society,” he said. | Religion could never be used to justify violence, the pope told Christian, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu and Jewish representatives. “All too often, young people are being radicalised in the name of religion to sow discord and fear, and to tear at the very fabric of society,” he said. |
| “How important it is that we be seen as prophets of peace, peacemakers who invite others to live in peace, harmony and mutual respect.” | “How important it is that we be seen as prophets of peace, peacemakers who invite others to live in peace, harmony and mutual respect.” |
| Francis’s message of religious tolerance will resonate in Kenya, where there have been three major attacks in the past two years by the Somalia-based Muslim extremist organisation, al-Shabab. In April, more than 150 students – most of them Christians – at Garissa university, close to the Somali border, were killed. A month earlier, 12 people died in al-Shabab attacks in Mandera county, and in September 2013, at least 67 people died in an attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi. | Francis’s message of religious tolerance will resonate in Kenya, where there have been three major attacks in the past two years by the Somalia-based Muslim extremist organisation, al-Shabab. In April, more than 150 students – most of them Christians – at Garissa university, close to the Somali border, were killed. A month earlier, 12 people died in al-Shabab attacks in Mandera county, and in September 2013, at least 67 people died in an attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi. |
| Related: Pope Francis to embark on Africa tour despite security fears | Related: Pope Francis to embark on Africa tour despite security fears |
| The pope referred to all three episodes, saying he understood that memories were still fresh in people’s minds. | The pope referred to all three episodes, saying he understood that memories were still fresh in people’s minds. |
| Francis’s first trip to Africa also takes in visits to Uganda and Central African Republic, where thousands of people have been killed in a conflict that has a strong religious dimension. | Francis’s first trip to Africa also takes in visits to Uganda and Central African Republic, where thousands of people have been killed in a conflict that has a strong religious dimension. |
| At a meeting with priests, bishops and seminarians that followed the morning’s large open air mass, Francis made an impassioned plea for discipline and integrity within the clergy. | |
| After being greeted with rapturous ululations by sisters, priests and theology students at a high school in Nairobi’s suburbs, he offered a sombre warning on the dangers of a church driven by “ambition for wealth and power”. | |
| “The church is not a business,” he said. “It is not an NGO. It’s a mystery. A mystery of Christ’s gaze upon each one of us.” | |
| There have been concerns that some priests are attracted to the ministry by the vast resources of the church, which is a major player in Kenya’s education and health sectors. | |
| Francis warned against succumbing to the impulse of joining the priesthood to accumulate wealth and told the gathered priests that they had to examine themselves to find out if they had gone into service through the “door of Christ or the window”. | |
| Hundreds of Kenyans lined the streets to the St Mary’s, a Catholic high school, as Francis arrived in his open-sided pope-mobile. Vendors enjoyed brisk business selling rosaries, Pope figurines and portraits. | |
| Earlier he was met with an electric welcome at the rain-soaked university of Nairobi, where a massive crowd was monitored by around 10,000 police. | |
| The usually staid proceedings of a Catholic mass were set aside as Francis’s first public appearance in the Kenyan capital turned into a festival of dance and singing, sometimes obscured by a sea of umbrellas. | The usually staid proceedings of a Catholic mass were set aside as Francis’s first public appearance in the Kenyan capital turned into a festival of dance and singing, sometimes obscured by a sea of umbrellas. |
| Colourfully attired members of 12 choirs performed Kiswahili and English gospel tunes with an enthusiasm that brought a smile to the Pope’s face, and band leaders energetically waved the kayamba, a flat reed instrument that is popular in east Africa, to accompany the hymns. Masai tribesmen and traditional dancers performed before the pope. | Colourfully attired members of 12 choirs performed Kiswahili and English gospel tunes with an enthusiasm that brought a smile to the Pope’s face, and band leaders energetically waved the kayamba, a flat reed instrument that is popular in east Africa, to accompany the hymns. Masai tribesmen and traditional dancers performed before the pope. |
| Hundreds of thousands of Catholics – who make up around a third of Kenya’s 44 million population – had travelled to the university to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, with many lining up as early as 3am to secure a spot near the dais in the grounds. | Hundreds of thousands of Catholics – who make up around a third of Kenya’s 44 million population – had travelled to the university to catch a glimpse of the pontiff, with many lining up as early as 3am to secure a spot near the dais in the grounds. |
| Many others in a crowd, estimated by police to be 300,000-strong, followed proceedings from large-screen TVs set up in several venues around the city, defying the driving rain. | |
| “This is a pope that has really inspired me,” said Wambui Gitau, a 21-year-old college student. “He gives us hope and shows that despite the many challenges and problems that surround us, we can do something to change things.” | “This is a pope that has really inspired me,” said Wambui Gitau, a 21-year-old college student. “He gives us hope and shows that despite the many challenges and problems that surround us, we can do something to change things.” |
| Since landing in Nairobi on Wednesday evening, Francis has called for religious tolerance and urged leaders to tackle the problem of inequality. | |
| He has also warned that it would be “catastrophic” if special interests get in the way of a global agreement to curb fossil fuel emissions at a climate change meeting in Paris next week. In a speech to the African UN headquarters, Francis said the Paris negotiations mark a crucial step in developing a new energy system that “corrects the dysfunctions and distortions” of the current model of development and fights poverty. | |
| He had earlier made an impassioned plea to respect the environment on a continent that makes the lowest contribution to greenhouse gas emissions yet is expected to bear the worst effects of climate change. | |
| “We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received,” he said shortly after his arrival. “These values are deeply rooted in the African soul.” | “We have a responsibility to pass on the beauty of nature in its integrity to future generations, and an obligation to exercise a just stewardship of the gifts we have received,” he said shortly after his arrival. “These values are deeply rooted in the African soul.” |
| However, Francis was restrained on social issues, perhaps reflecting the still-conservative views of many on the continent, including Catholic bishops who insist on traditional church teachings on sexuality, family life and reproduction. | However, Francis was restrained on social issues, perhaps reflecting the still-conservative views of many on the continent, including Catholic bishops who insist on traditional church teachings on sexuality, family life and reproduction. |
| In his homily at Thursday’s mass, he praised the strength of the African family especially what he called a culture of respect of the elderly and love for the young, and urged followers to resist practices that “foster arrogance in men, hurt or demean women and threaten the life of the innocent unborn”. | In his homily at Thursday’s mass, he praised the strength of the African family especially what he called a culture of respect of the elderly and love for the young, and urged followers to resist practices that “foster arrogance in men, hurt or demean women and threaten the life of the innocent unborn”. |
| He also warned against materialism, prejudice and discrimination, saying the mission of Christian families was “especially important today, for we are seeing the growth of new deserts created by a culture of materialism, selfishness and indifference to others”. | He also warned against materialism, prejudice and discrimination, saying the mission of Christian families was “especially important today, for we are seeing the growth of new deserts created by a culture of materialism, selfishness and indifference to others”. |
| He appealed to youth to “shape a society which is ever more just, inclusive and respectful of human dignity. May you always be concerned for the needs of the poor, and reject everything that leads to prejudice and discrimination.” | He appealed to youth to “shape a society which is ever more just, inclusive and respectful of human dignity. May you always be concerned for the needs of the poor, and reject everything that leads to prejudice and discrimination.” |
| For many in the crowd, though, the symbolism and power of the pope’s presence on the continent dwarfed his words. | For many in the crowd, though, the symbolism and power of the pope’s presence on the continent dwarfed his words. |
| Much media attention focused on Francis’s choice of a humble Honda Fit as his mode of transport from the airport, a striking contrast to the opulent German-made stretch limousines favoured by Kenyan leaders in a country in which many live below the poverty line. | Much media attention focused on Francis’s choice of a humble Honda Fit as his mode of transport from the airport, a striking contrast to the opulent German-made stretch limousines favoured by Kenyan leaders in a country in which many live below the poverty line. |
| A changing Catholic church was clearly visible in the way the service was conducted. Alarmed by a loss of members to more charismatic preachers in the evangelical churches where services are marked by vigorous dancing and singing, the Catholic church in Africa has made adjustments and shown greater flexibility. The festive atmosphere that marked the service at the university reflected that. | A changing Catholic church was clearly visible in the way the service was conducted. Alarmed by a loss of members to more charismatic preachers in the evangelical churches where services are marked by vigorous dancing and singing, the Catholic church in Africa has made adjustments and shown greater flexibility. The festive atmosphere that marked the service at the university reflected that. |
| Crowds snapping pictures on smartphones jostled to catch a glimpse of the pope, perching on rooftops with some taking precarious positions on trees just outside the venue. | Crowds snapping pictures on smartphones jostled to catch a glimpse of the pope, perching on rooftops with some taking precarious positions on trees just outside the venue. |
| In a reception held earlier at State House, Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, praised the role of the Catholic church in delivering services to the poor. | In a reception held earlier at State House, Kenya’s president, Uhuru Kenyatta, praised the role of the Catholic church in delivering services to the poor. |
| “Through its dioceses, in Kenya, the church is the largest non-state provider of healthcare with nearly 500 healthcare units and over 50 community-based orphanages and programmes for vulnerable children,” he said. | “Through its dioceses, in Kenya, the church is the largest non-state provider of healthcare with nearly 500 healthcare units and over 50 community-based orphanages and programmes for vulnerable children,” he said. |
| The pope also received praise for meeting Muslim leaders and for his call for religious harmony and cooperation. “This pope has transcended religious fault lines,” Hassan Omar, the senator of Mombasa and a Muslim, told the Associated Press. | |