International
Security concerns over Pope’s visit to CAR
The pontiffs three-nation trip to Africa ends with a visit to the Central African Republic amid security concerns which weeks ago raised the possibility of Pope Francis cancelling his trip to the country where violence between Christian and Muslim militants has displaced over 1 million people from their homes over the last 24 months.
Scores of nationals are of the hope that the pontiff’s message of peace and reconciliation will be the needed catalyst for long lasting peace and stability in a country with a population of about 4.8million.
The pope’s schedule on arrival will see him visit a displacement camp where Christians have sought refuge. He will also venture into the capital’s Muslim enclave, known as PK5, to meet with community leaders and the displaced.
Read also: Pope faces gay challenges in Uganda
At the displacement camp at Bangui’s airport, where thousands have lived for nearly two years, there is a sense that things now are the worst they’ve been since December 2013.
President Catherine Samba-Panza told reporters Saturday that the pope is being awaited as a “peace messenger.”
“Many Central Africans hope that the messages he will deliver will inspire a national mobilization and realization that Central Africans learn to accept each other again, learn to live together again and learn to go toward peace and reconstruction of their country,” she said.
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