Vatican City, 31 August, 2019 / 3:31 am (ACI Africa).
Ahead of his trip to Africa, Pope Francis has expressed his longing to meet the citizens of Mozambique, the first of the three countries he will be visiting September 4-10.
“I long for the moment I will meet you,” Pope Francis said Friday in a video message in which he also regretted that his visit will be limited to the country’s capital, Maputo.
“In a few days my visit to your country will begin,” the Holy Father said and added, “despite my not being able to go beyond the capital, my heart reaches and embraces all of you, with a special place for those who live in tribulation.”
In March, Mozambique was among the countries hit by Cyclone Idai, which left over 1,300 peopled dead with many more unaccounted for.
In the video message, the Holy Father acknowledged with appreciation the invitation to the Southern Africa country and went on to ask for prayers “so that the God and Father of all will consolidate reconciliation, fraternal reconciliation in Mozambique and in the whole of Africa, only hope for a firm and lasting peace.”
The Pontiff expressed the joy that the visit will give him an opportunity to verify “how the seed grows planted by (his) predecessor St. Pope John Paul II” who visited the country in 1988.
“This trip enables me to meet the Catholic community and to confirm it in its witness of the Gospel, which teaches the dignity of every man and women and exacts from us to open our hearts to others, especially the poor and the needy,” Pope Francis said
The Holy Father is scheduled to arrive in Maputo, Mozambique September 4, 2019.
He will meet with authorities, leaders of civil society and the diplomatic corps. The Pope will also meet have an interreligious meeting with the youth.
The Holy Father expressed his appreciation for all the preparations ahead of his September 4-6 visit saying, “I know that many of you are working in the preparation of my visit, including with the offering of their prayers, and I thank you from my heart.”
“I invoke upon you and upon your country God’s blessings and the protection of our Mother, the Virgin Mary,” Pope Francis said and concluded, “See you soon!”By ACI Africa editorial team
