Port Louis, 20 September, 2019 / 4:07 pm (ACI Africa).
With memories of the visit of Pope Francis to Southern Africa still fresh, the Bishops of the Episcopal Conference of the Indian Ocean (CEDOI) have in a message at the end of their 33rd plenary assembly expressed gratitude to the Holy Father for gracing their islands and likened the Papal pastoral visit to the joyful song of Mary when she visited her cousin Elizabeth.
“We have reasons to say like Mary "My soul exalts the Lord" because Pope Francis, like a father, came to support us in our mission as baptized,” reads the Bishops’ Message avail to ACI Africa Friday.
The Bishops have recalled the message of the Holy Father during his visit, particularly when he encouraged them to continue their missionary commitment to serve their respective islands.
“By visiting Madagascar and Mauritius, Pope Francis wanted to give a paternal touch to all our islands in the Indian Ocean,” the Bishops have recalled and added, “the numerous presence of the delegates of the CEDOI islands at Mary Queen of Peace (Mauritius) was the way to express to Pope Francis our gratitude for showing us his closeness.”
Pope Francis presided over Mass in Port Louis on September 9 before a congregation of mixed religious denominations that organizers of the event estimated to be 100,000.
