Pope touches down in Kenya for start of African tour

By Andrew Ross and Magdalene Mukami

NAIROBI, Kenya

Pope Francis arrived in Kenyan capital Nairobi on Wednesday to call for peace and tolerance in his first trip to Africa.

Francis was met by President Uhuru Kenyatta and a throng of traditional dancers and singers at the capital’s airport as he began a six-day African tour that includes Uganda and the Central African Republic (CAR).

“We should work for peace, forgiveness, healing and tolerance for the common good,” the Pope told an audience at the State House. “Where there is violence and terrorism people feed on mistrust and it brings poverty.”

The pontiff’s visit comes as many African nations are wracked by sectarian violence, including the CAR, where there has been fighting between Christians and Muslims.

During the Kenyan leg of his visit, Francis will meet Christian and Muslim leaders.

Kenyatta, a devout Catholic, greeted the Pope as he stepped from Shepherd One, the papal jet. The president later asked the Pope to pray for him and his nation in its fight against corruption.

Throngs of cheering, flag-waving well-wishers lined the streets as the convoy made its way to the State House.

Also out in force were some of the 10,000 police officers who have been deployed to Nairobi for the visit. Security concerns include the threat from Al Shabaab extremists. In April, 150 were killed by militants at a mostly Christian university in Garissa, eastern Kenya.

High on the Pope’s agenda will be the environment with a crucial climate change conference taking place in Paris next week and he is due to deliver a key speech on climate change at the UN offices in Nairobi.

“We should be models of economic development to ensure environmental sustainability,” Francis said. “There is a link between protection of nature and social order.”

Up to 200,000 people are expected to attend a Mass at the University of Nairobi during the visit, with an additional 1.3 million Catholics anticipated to gather outside for the service.

Around 85 percent of Kenya’s 44 million population is Roman Catholic.