(Vatican Radio) Following a twenty-one gun salute, Pope Francis addressed the President of Kenya and other authorities at Nairobi State House on Wednesday afternoon. The Holy Father said he was looking forward to his stay, especially meeting the young people of Kenya and “encouraging their hopes and aspirations for the future”.
Click below to hear the Holy Father’s address, delivered in English
The Pope proceeded to urge the entire Kenyan people to “work with integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society”, asking them to hold particular concern for the poor, the young and to handle their natural and human resources responsibly. He concluded by speaking about a Kenyan tradition where young children plant trees for posterity: “may this eloquent sign of hope in the future… sustain all of you…”.
Please find below the full text of Pope Francis’ prepared remarks for his address to the authorities and the Diplomatic Corps at the State House in Nairobi on Wednesday 25th November 2015
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Mr President,
Honourable Government and Civil Leaders,
Distinguished Members of the Diplomatic Corps,
My Brother Bishops,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am most grateful for your warm welcome on this, my first visit to Africa. I thank you, Mr President, for your kind words in the name of the Kenyan people, and I look forward to my stay among you. Kenya is a young and vibrant nation, a richly diverse society which plays a significant role in the region. In many ways your experience of shaping a democracy is one shared by many other African nations. Like Kenya, they too are working to build, on the solid foundations of mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation, a multiethnic society which is truly harmonious, just and inclusive.
Yours too is a nation of young people. In these days, I look forward to meeting many of them, speaking with them, and encouraging their hopes and aspirations for the future. The young are any nation’s most valuable resource. To protect them, to invest in them and to offer them a helping hand, is the best way we can ensure a future worthy of the wisdom and spiritual values dear to their elders, values which are the very heart and soul of a people.
Kenya has been blessed not only with immense beauty, in its mountains, rivers and lakes, its forests, savannahs and semi-deserts, but also by an abundance of natural resources. The Kenyan people have a strong appreciation of these God-given treasures and are known for a culture of conservation which does you honour. The grave environmental crisis facing our world demands an ever greater sensitivity to the relationship between human beings and nature. 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. These values are deeply rooted in the African soul. In a world which continues to exploit rather than protect our common home, they must inspire the efforts of national leaders to promote responsible models of economic development.
In effect, there is a clear link between the protection of nature and the building of a just and equitable social order. There can be no renewal of our relationship with nature, without a renewal of humanity itself (cf. Laudato Si’, 118). To the extent that our societies experience divisions, whether ethnic, religious or economic, all men and women of good will are called to work for reconciliation and peace, forgiveness and healing. In the work of building a sound democratic order, strengthening cohesion and integration, tolerance and respect for others, the pursuit of the common good must be a primary goal. Experience shows that violence, conflict and terrorism feed on fear, mistrust, and the despair born of poverty and frustration. Ultimately, the struggle against these enemies of peace and prosperity must be carried on by men and women who fearlessly believe in, and bear honest witness to, the great spiritual and political values which inspired the birth of the nation.
Ladies and Gentlemen, the advancement and preservation of these great values is entrusted in a special way to you, the leaders of your country’s political, cultural and economic life. This is a great responsibility, a true calling, in the service of the entire Kenyan people. The Gospel tells us that from those to whom much has been given, much will be demanded (Lk 12:48). In that spirit, I encourage you to work with integrity and transparency for the common good, and to foster a spirit of solidarity at every level of society. I ask you in particular to show genuine concern for the needs of the poor, the aspirations of the young, and a just distribution of the natural and human resources with which the Creator has blessed your country. I assure you of the continued efforts of the Catholic community, through its educational and charitable works, to offer its specific contribution in these areas.
Dear friends, I am told that here in Kenya it is a tradition for young schoolchildren to plant trees for posterity. May this eloquent sign of hope in the future, and trust in the growth which God gives, sustain all of you in your efforts to cultivate a society of solidarity, justice and peace on the soil of this country and throughout the great African continent. I thank you once more for your warm welcome, and upon you and your families, and all the beloved Kenyan people, I invoke the Lord’s abundant blessings.
Mungu abariki Kenya!
God bless Kenya!
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis gave a drawing by architect Gian Lorenzo Bernini, of the project for the façade of St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican, to the President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, on Wednesday. The Holy Father conveyed the present during the course of his meeting with Kenyatta in Kenya, at the beginning of a three-country visit to the continent of Africa that is to include Kenya, Uganda, and the Central African Republic.
Below, please find the official description of the drawing
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Gian Lorenzo Bernini (Naples 1598 – Rome 1680)
Project for the Bell towers of St. Peter’s Basilica
Pen and wash drawing in brown and gray on ivory paper
1645
The accurate drawing, identified as an autograph of Bernini by Brauer and Wittkower in 1931, depicts the project for the façade of the Basilica of St. Peter according to the idea of Carlo Maderno, but with the variation of two tall bell towers that departed directly from the ground.
The final project by Maderno called for two bell towers at the two extremities of the façade, but positioned at the height of the base of the drum of the dome.
The execution of the work was assigned to Bernini who began around 1637. In 1641, upon completion of the first bell tower, it was necessary to partially demolish it for reasons of statics. The artist was bitterly criticized for having underestimated the risks and endangering the entire Basilica. The disappointment was such that he fell ill, also for fear of losing the trust of the Pontiff.
In 1646, under Pope Innocent X Pamphili, a special Congregation of Cardinals was instituted to face the problem of the façade, and the greatest architects present in Rome were called upon to present their proposals. In spite of the efforts undertaken, the graphic documentation and the engravings that pictured the façade with the bell towers, these were no longer executed and, in 1646, with the parts of Bernini’s first bell tower extant, they were completely demolished.
These projects are for the most part today kept in the Vatican Apostolic Library, under the codice from which this present sheet was drawn.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) “It is quite an exciting moment for us. The Holy Father is coming for the first time to Africa, and he chose Kenya as his entrance door.” Ahead of Pope Francis’ arrival in Nairobi on Wednesday, Kenyans shared their hopes and expectations for the papal visit.
Lily Mugombozi is a journalist working for New City Africa, the magazine of the Focolare movement, and will be following every moment of the Pope’s journey. Just like any other person in this country, I really feel blessed and privileged. She spoke with Vatican Radio’s Linda Bordoni.
Listen:
“I think God has great things for us,” she said. “First of all, we see Pope Francis as a leader of the world, not only for Catholics, and this is really striking. Last Saturday I participated in a radio program, where some youth were introducing what they are doing, what their preparations for the Holy Father entail. And during the call-in program I was very struck by non-Catholics who were calling in the studio to assure their support for the Holy Father, their joy, and some were saying the Holy Father is a Father to everyone, not only to Catholics.”
Another issue, she said is reconciliation. Mugombozi noted that Pope Francis emphasized the message of reconciliation in his video message to the people of Kenya and Uganda. “I watched his message on Youtube, and he really stresses this, that he hopes that his presence among us will also be a sign of reconciliation. He will speak of reconciliation, and we really do need this in Kenya.” She said she expects the Pope’s message of reconciliation and peace will remain even after Pope Francis concludes his visit.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) A well-researched article in the Kenyan daily press gives an accurate “dress-down” of some of the garments you would find in Pope Francis’ wardrobe.
What it doesn’t mention is that here in Kenya all of his vestments and a beautiful rosary made of beads have been prepared by a group of sisters and women who work in an income-generating facility in Kangemi slum called “Dolly Craft”.
Click below to hear the report from Vatican Radio’s special envoy in Kenya, Linda Bordoni
The sewery – which gets its name from its initial project of making African dolls – is operated by the Jesuit-run St. Joseph the Worker Parish in Kangemi slum. It has been working full steam to prepare the vestments not only for Pope Francis, but also for all the priests and bishops who will be celebrating Mass here in Nairobi.
One of the priests at the Parish told me that for their special project, the women took design samples they made to the bishops in charge of the preparations for Pope Francis’ visit. The bishops approved the designs and gave the women a logo to include on the three vestments.
He explained the women designed three garments for the pope’s main functions while he’s in Kenya: a simple white ankle-length alb, a classic golden sleeveless chasuble, and a white chasuble embroidered with a Maasai tribe design in coloured beads which have been hand-woven into the cloth itself.
The women working on the project – he said – were overjoyed to be playing such a tangible part in Pope Francis’ visit and have been working around the clock to make sure the vestments were ready in time.
“It feels so good”, Alice Wanjiru, a single mother of two boys who works at the project told a local newspaper: “It is my first time and probably my last to make a garment for a Pope. . . . and very few people get a chance like this. The pope – she said – is a big person to wear what has been made with my hands. I can already feel the blessings”.
(from Vatican Radio)…
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday sent telegrams to the leaders of each of the countries he overflew on his Apostolic Journey to three African nations.
The presidents of Italy, Greece, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Kenya all received a telegram from the Holy Father invoking divine blessings of peace and well-being on their people.
The full text of each telegram may be found below:
To Italy:
A SUA ECCELLENZA
ON. SERGIO MATTARELLA
PRESIDENTE DELLA REPUBBLICA ITALIANA
NEL MOMENTO IN CUI MI ACCINGO A COMPIERE UN VIAGGIO APOSTOLICO IN KENYA, UGANDA E REPUBBLICA CENTRAFRICANA, MOSSO DAL VIVO DESIDERIO DI INCONTRARE I FRATELLI NELLA FEDE E GLI ABITANTI DI QUELLE CARE NAZIONI, MI E’ GRADITO RIVOLGERE A LEI SIGNOR PRESIDENTE L’ESPRESSIONE DEL MIO DEFERENTE SALUTO CHE ACCOMPAGNO CON FERVIDE PREGHIERE PER IL BENE E LA PROSPERITA’ DELL’INTERO POPOLO ITALIANO
FRANCISCUS PP
To Greece:
HIS EXCELLENCY PROKOPIS PAVLOPOULOS
PRESIDENT OF THE HELLENIC REPUBLIC
ATHENS
I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS AS I FLY OVER THE COUNTRY ON MY WAY TO KENYA FOR A PASTORAL VISIT. I INVOKE DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON GREECE, AND I PRAY THAT ALMIGHTY GOD MAY BLESS YOU ALL WITH PEACE AND WELL-BEING.
FRANCISCUS PP.
To Egypt:
HIS EXCELLENCY ABDEL FATTAH AL SISI
PRESIDENT OF THE ARAB REPUBLIC OF EGYPT
CAIRO
AS I FLY OVER YOUR COUNTRY ON MY WAY TO KENYA FOR A PASTORAL VISIT, I EXTEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND THE PEOPLE OF EGYPT. INVOKING THE BLESSING OF THE ALMIGHTY UPON THE NATION, I PRAY THAT HE MAY GRANT YOU WELL-BEING AND PEACE.
FRANCISCUS PP.
To Sudan:
HIS EXCELLENCY OMAR AL-BASHIR
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE SUDAN
KHARTOUM
UPON ENTERING THE AIRSPACE OF THE NATION AS I TRAVEL TO KENYA FOR A PASTORAL VISIT, I EXTEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. I PRAY THAT THE ALMIGHTY MAY GRANT THE SUDAN DIVINE BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY.
FRANCISCUS PP.
To Ethiopia:
HIS EXCELLENCY MULATU TESHOME
PRESIDENT OF THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA
ADDIS ABABA
AS I TRAVEL OVER ETHIOPIA ON MY WAY TO KENYA FOR A PASTORAL VISIT, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND TO YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. ASSURING YOU OF MY PRAYERS FOR THE PEACE AND WELL-BEING OF THE NATION, I INVOKE DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON ALL OF YOU.
FRANCISCUS PP.
To Kenya:
HIS EXCELLENCY UHURU KENYATTA
PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA
NAIROBI
AS I ENTER KENYAN AIRSPACE, I SEND CORDIAL GREETINGS TO YOUR EXCELLENCY AND YOUR FELLOW CITIZENS. I LOOK FORWARD WITH GREAT JOY TO VISITING THE NATION, AND I INVOKE ABUNDANT DIVINE BLESSINGS UPON YOU ALL.
FRANCISCUS PP.
(from Vatican Radio)…