Apostolic Visit of Pope Francis to Africa
November 25th - November 30th, 2015
Pope Francis is set to embark on his first Apostolic Visit to Africa. From November 25, 2015 to November 30, 2015 the Holy Father will tour Kenya, Uganda and the Central African Republic. His itinerary will include visits with civil authorities, meetings with clergy and religious, gatherings with young people, visits with the poor and the celebration of several Masses. Additionally, this visit will include confessions with young people and a special meeting with the Muslim community in the Central African Republic - a population facing harsh persecution.
Vatican officials, including Pope Francis, have suggested the final leg of the voyage, Central African Republic, could be cancelled if the situation becomes too dangerous. Please pray for the safety of the Holy Father as he makes this Apostolic Visit.
Thursday, November 26, 2015
Apostolic Voyage to Kenya
Papal Mass at University of Nairobi
9:00am ET / 6:00am PT - On the second day of his Apostolic Visit to Africa, Pope Francis celebrates Mass at the University of Nairobi.
Meeting with Religious Men and Women of Nairobi
12:00pm ET / 9:00am PT - Pope Francis meets with the religious men and women of Nairobi at St. Mary's School.
Friday, November 27, 2015
Apostolic Voyage to Kenya
Meeting with Young People of Nairobi
9:00am ET / 6:00am PT - Just before he leaves Kenya, Pope Francis meets with the young people of Nairobi at the city's Kasarani Stadium.
Saturday, November 28, 2015
Apostolic Voyage to Uganda
Meeting with Young People of Kampala
11:00am ET / 8:00am PT - In Kampala, Uganda Pope Francis goes to the Kololo air strip to meet with the young people of the region.
Sunday, November 29, 2015
Apostolic Voyage to Central African Republic
Mass with Religious and Youth
11:00am ET / 8:00am PT - Pope Francis ends his first day in the Central African Republic by celebrating Mass with the young people and the religious men and women of the city.
Prayer Vigil with Young People
1:00pm ET / 10:00am PT - Pope Francis ends his second day in the Central African Republic taking part in a prayer vigil with the young people of Bangui.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Apostolic Voyage to Central African Republic
Papal Mass with the Faithful
9:00am ET / 6:00am PT - Pope Francis concludes his Apostolic Visit to the African continent celebrating Mass with the faithful of Bangui, Central African Republic.
Behind Vatican Walls: Central African Republic
By Alicia Ambrosio, Producer
Pope Francis is scheduled to make his first Apostolic Visit to Africa this month. His itinerary includes a stop in the Central African Republic where he will visit the capital, Bangui. For the first time the pope and Vatican officials have acknowledged that the visit to the war torn nation is less than certain.
Tumultuous past
The former French colony Ubangi – Shari was a region sought after by France, Germany, Belgium and Great Britain because of its natural resources. France gained control of the area in 1894 and held on to it until the 1960s. Post-colonial life brought economic and political instability and coup after coup.
Since August 13, 1960 when Ubangi-Shari became independent from France the Central African Republic has seen five coups. The most recent took place in 2013 when Seleka – a rebel group made up of fighters from previous rebel groups – seized the capital after they became unhappy with how president Francois Bozize was implementing a power-sharing agreement... Continue reading on the Salt + Light blog
Further reading
Apostolic Journeys outside Italy
This page on the website features an itinerary of the Holy Father's Apostolic Visit to Africa. See the Missal for the Apostolic Journey and his itinerary. Salt + Light's coverage of the itinerary may differ from what is listed on this page.
Religion News Service - November 3, 2015
NAIROBI — Pope Francis’ visit to the Kenyan capital of Nairobi Nov. 25-27 will bring healing and reconciliation to the East African nation that has suffered key setbacks in the recent past, senior bishops here say...
Vatican Radio - June 11, 2015
“The visit of Pope Francis to Uganda is a sign. His visit is a real sign pointing us to something... this great man, this busy man, this person who seems to be loved by everyone and who loves everyone…what message is he bringing to us in Uganda?” This is how Kampala’s Archbishop emeritus, Cardinal Emmanuel Wamala sees the pending visit of Pope Francis to Uganda...
AFP - November 12, 2015
Kampala (AFP) - Uganda said Thursday it would deploy over 10,000 police officers backed by soldiers when Pope Francis visits later this month, amid fears of attacks by Al-Qaeda militants. Military spokesman Paddy Ankunda said that given past attacks by the Somali-led Shebab Islamists, the army were "not taking anything for granted", although no uniformed troops would be deployed near the pope...
Previous Apostolic Visits
July 2015 - South America
Returning to his home continent for the second time as the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis spawned a tidal wave of joy through the church and society far beyond the borders of Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay. ... view more
June 2015 - Sarajevo
On June 6 Pope Francis takes this message of dialogue and peace to Sarajevo, a city that is no stranger to war, division and destruction. In the span of only a few short hours he will meet with the people who represent the different ethnic and religious groups in Sarajevo ... view more
January 2015 - Asia
Pope Francis’ Apostolic Visit - "How I want a poor church; a poor church for the poor”, these were the words that Pope Francis used at the start of his pontificate to make clear his plans for the church. ... view more
August 2014 - Korea
Pope Francis will visit Korea for the first time to attend the 6th Asian Youth Day. It’s been twenty five years since a pope last visited Korean soil. St. Pope John Paul II visited Korea in 1986 ... view more
May 2014 - Holy Land
From May 24 to 26, Pope Francis had a trip to the Holy Land on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the meeting in Jerusalem ... view more
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