Pope Francis appealed to
Muslims to unite with Christians in condemning violence in the
name of God in the capital of the Central African Republic on
Monday, the last day of his trip to Africa.
"Let's stay united to end every action that disfigures the
face of God, on one side or the other, and is aimed at defending
vested interests with every means, to the detriment of the
common good," the pope said.
"Together, let's say no to hate, violence, revenge,
especially that conducted in God's name".
The pope's visit to the war-torn Central African Republic
was considered high risk and accompanied by extra security
measures in addition to his usual Vatican security entourage,
including UN peacekeepers with armoured cars and heavy weapons,
and even Central African soldiers armed with rocket launchers.
Pope Francis delivered his appeal to Muslims on Monday from
the Koundoukou mosque, near the country's capital Bangui, where
on Sunday he opened the Holy Door in the city's cathedral in an
early start to the Jubilee Holy Year of Mercy in Africa.
"Bangui becomes the spiritual capital of the world," Pope
Francis said.
The Jubilee Year will officially commence in Vatican City
on December 8, when the pontiff will open the Holy Door at St.
Peter's Cathedral.
This was the pope's first trip to the African continent, a
historic visit which lasted six days and began in Kenya.
There, Pope Francis visited the UN headquarters in Nairobi,
and after touring a slum on the city's outskirts, he railed
against corruption during a meeting with young people at the
capital's stadium in Kasarani.
"Don't accept this sugar called corruption," he told the
young people gathered there.
"Corruption takes away joy. Corrupt people do not live in
peace. Corruption is not a path of life. It's a path of death".
The Argentine pontiff also spent two days in Uganda, where,
following in the footsteps of Pope Paul VI, he visited shrines
in memory of martyred Christians at Munyonyo and Namugongo.
Pope Francis's plane left Bangui around 12:30 p.m. on
Monday and is scheduled to arrive at Rome's Ciampino airport
around 6:45 p.m. local time.
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