November 29, Sunday, at 10, we saw pass the Alitalia plane carrying the Holy Father.
We did not go to meet him, as many people did along the road between the airport and the city center… We just left for Bangui Cathedral around 14hs, the Mass was scheduled for 17. We get earlier, we didn´t have to wait long to get in and they gave us a good place from which you could see well His Holiness. This Mass was for bishops, priests, religious and committed lay people working in parishes. Several times during his homily, people stopped to applaud him. As we had five extra invitations, we could take five pilgrims from our parish. The rest were near the Cathedral, where they attended Mass transmitted through a giant screen where they remained during the prayer vigil that lasted all night, with moments of prayer for peace, confessions and many songs. “No revenge, violence or hatred.”
At five o’clock in the morning, people started heading for the stadium to attend the Mass celebrated by Pope Francisco. We arrived around seven and we had already many people in the stands.
At that time, the pope was visiting the Central Mosque of Bangui, the highlight of his visit. Due to the climate of hatred that exists in the country between Muslims and non-Muslims they are afraid that this time were canceled, thank God it was not!
Holy Father’s words: “We are all brothers”, “Make every effort to achieve peace, work, pray, but remember that there is no peace without love, friendship and tolerance”. The spokesman of the displaced Muslims of Km 5, said. “We are delighted to welcome the Pope. He is not here just for Christians; he is a server, a godsend for all Central Africans”.
According to François, he is working at the UN, Pope Francisco after the official speeches, took off his shoes, crossed the mosque and went to pray at the place where Muslims pray. He said everyone was very surprised and excited because this was not in the Protocol. As a token of gratitude, a group of youths Muslims on a motorcycle, “removed the site” of the Minusca (peacekeepers of UN) and escorted the Holy Father to the stadium.
In his homily at the Mass in the stadium Pope spoke again of Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Peace and “Pass to the other side” (“Passons a l’autre rive”), because “there is no peace without forgiveness”. “Say No to revenge, violence and hatred!”
In the street people were happy saying, “God came to us!” ” Nzapa a ga na é!”
Hopefully after the visit of the Holy Father Peace remain in this land and this people that have suffered so much have life and life in abundance.
From RCA
A missionary hug
Augusta and Elia (CLM)
